In the year 2000 a Federal Court in Manhattan declared the word "Pilates" to mean an exercise method, like yoga or the word ballet, not a trademarked brand name.

This allows and means that studios, gyms, instructors, certification companies, and equipment manufacturers are free to use the word "Pilates" without adhering to any specific standard. It has become the responsibility of prospective clients and individuals to do their research to make sure they are seeing an experienced instructor with the appropriate recognized certifications from institutes that would be nationally and internationally recognized. The term Gyrotonic® has been trademarked by the founder Juliu Horvath so there is no confusion regarding the authenticity of the instructors training. For more about this registered trademark
case visit Balanced Body.