Say what? Pie and lattes? The story of Pilates started with a passionate man, a health fanatic and an advocate of physical activities, Joseph Pilates. He was born in 1883 in Dusseldorf, Germany. As a sickly child suffering from rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever his drive to overcome these ailments led to the practice of bodybuilding, gymnastics, diving and other physical pursuits.