shortly after, professional dancers martha graham and george balanchine used the pilates method to help strengthen their bodies and heal their aches and pains after performances. many famous dancers began to integrate pilates as the method to improve physical conditioning and recover from injuries.

In the United States, even before  Pilates' widespread popularity, most professional dancers practiced it regularly. to this day, pilates remains relatively unchanged, as the basic exercises that joseph pilates invented have been preserved.

while pilates remains true to its origins, more advanced studios have introduced the use of equipment to better focus on the specific needs of individuals - participants range from professional athletes, to individuals with common spinal  cord problems due to a sedentary lifestyle.