Pilates is a method of exercise that was created by Joseph Pilates, a German athlete, in the early 1900s. Pilates uses the body and gravity for resistance to develop superior strength and flexibility. What remains at the heart of a Pilates workout is the development of powerful strength in the abdominals, spinal flexibility, and precise alignment of the body. Pilates is popular with dancers and athletes because it develops core strength and adds stability and control to one's movements.