The History of Ownership of the Pilates Studio Business
Aka, The history of the original Pilates studio business after Joe Pilates died. All images first shared on 3/7/2026.
In 1951, Joe Pilates wrote a will, leaving everything to Clara Pilates. Notice that he intentionally left nothing to his kids? I brightened the text for readability.
In 1970, Clara Pilates sold the business to a group of investors, who were also clients of the studio (known at the time as 939 Studio Corporation).
Later in 1984, the business was sold to Aris Isotoner Gloves, Inc. Yes- you read that right! In fact, the founder of Isotoner was also a client at the studio.
Then again in 1987, the business was again sold to Wee Tai Hom, who was a business man and a client at the studio himself.
Finally, in 1992, the pilates studio business was sold to Sean Gallagher, who started out as a client at the studio, and who is still the current owner. This makes Sean Gallagher the 5th owner of the original Pilates studio business.
These snippets from the contracts only touch on the full story, but its exciting to share the timeline for one specific and special reason. If you notice, over many decades, it was the students who stepped up to run the business when it was in need. These students were so profoundly affected by Joe’s work and saw its potential to grow. They were willing to invest not only their money, but their efforts, to keep it running. I find that really touching!
The True History of the “Pilates Trademark”
You may have heard that the word Pilates was once a trademarked term before it became generic.
You may also have heard that pilates teachers were sent threatening letters when they infringed on the trademark.
But who really trademarked the term “Pilates”, and when? And what did those letters actually look like?
Well the truth is, it was Romana Kryzanowska who initiated and succeeded at trademarking the term “Pilates” for exercise instruction- 9 years before Sean Gallagher purchased the business, assets, and already-registered trademarks.
Images first shared March 7, 2026.
And it was also lawyers working for Romana who sent out the first infringement letters. Again, years before Sean Gallagher came on the scene.
And it was Romana and John Steele who signed those trademarks over to Aris Isotoner, who then sold it all to Wee Tai Hom… who then sold to Sean Gallagher- who tried to protect it, and tried to continue the business as it had been running in the ways set up by those before him.
This slide is an example of the type of trademark protection letter Sean sent out after becoming the new owner of the trademark. The text reads like the type of standards and protection many teachers wish for today, and lament that we do not have.
People tout their “lineage”, but do they know the true history of the lineage they claim as their own? Because if they did, why wouldn’t they tell you the whole, true story about who really “tried” to trademark Pilates? Unless it’s because… it doesn’t support their narrative or shape your opinion in their favor.
