Legacy of Authentic Pilates Apparatus and the Teachers Who Carry It Forward
By Darien Gold
The Origins of Gratz
Before Gratz became synonymous with Classical Pilates apparatus, it was a small metal fabrication business with deep roots in New York City. The story of how it evolved—from custom sculptures and furniture to shaping the Pilates movement itself—begins nearly a century ago.
Frank Gratz along with a business partner, Mr. Tretial opened a custom metal fabrication business named Treitel/Gratz in New York City in the 1920’s. When Mr. Tretial moved on, Frank renamed the business Gratz Industries, Inc. and continued to fabricate sculptures, metal furniture and produce industrial design prototypes for many of the worlds top designers. Donald, Frank’s younger son joined his father after finishing college and a stint in the Army.
Building the Classical Pilates Apparatus Line with Romana
At one point in the mid 1960’s one aspect of their metal furniture business began to slow down leaving room for a unique but untested type of business. On a serendipitous afternoon in 1968, Donald, while delivering a metal furniture piece to one of his customers, met Romana Kryzanowska at his customer’s home. Romana needed a manufacturer for the apparatus Joe and his brother Fred had built as more and more teachers were eager to learn Pilates from Romana and then needing apparatus to take back home. It was this fortuitous meeting with Romana that opened a new line of business for Gratz Industries. Located at that time in Long Island City, Queens, the budding Pilates world was introduced to Joe’s original designs, and Classical Pilates apparatus was born.
A New Chapter Begins: Donald Gratz Meets Roberta
During this new growth period, Donald went on a blind date with a young reporter named Roberta Brandes. Roberta began her journalistic career as a copy girl in 1963. She quickly rose to become a reporter for the New York Post in 1965 where she spent the next 15 years. Roberta would go on to author 5 books and write various articles which appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Nation and Daily News.
After dating for roughly 5 months, Donald and Roberta married and had two children. Donald’s new Pilates endeavor with Romana was blossoming and many times after spending the afternoon with her and in the throes of developing the entire Pilates apparatus line, he’d say to Roberta, “You have to meet Romana, she is so amazing, what a genius she is!”
While not directly involved in Pilates apparatus manufacturing, Roberta’s deep appreciation for storytelling and cultural preservation paralleled Gratz’s mission to uphold the integrity of Joseph Pilates’ original work—especially as friends encouraged her to close the business after Donald’s passing. She remained committed to preserving his legacy.
Continuing the Vision of Gratz Pilates
As Gratz moved into a new era, its commitment to Classical Pilates remained stronger than ever. By continuing to manufacture apparatus based on Joseph Pilates’ original specifications, Gratz has supported generations of teachers and studios dedicated to preserving the integrity of the Pilates Method.
This dedication to tradition has fostered a global network of instructors who not only teach the Classical work but also uphold the high standards of precision, strength, and control that define it. The apparatus, unchanged in essence from the designs Joe himself engineered, acts as a living thread connecting past to present. It allows new generations of practitioners to experience Pilates as it was intended—an integrated system for mind, body, and spirit.
Darien Gold: Second Generation Pilates Instructor
Among the second-generation instructors who exemplify this commitment to tradition is Darien Gold. A former professional NY-trained dancer, Darien began her Pilates training in 1992 and went on to be certified by Romana Kryzanowska in 1997. Her athletic foundation, combined with years of study under Romana, shaped her teaching into a unique blend of strength, control, and clarity that continues to reflect the original intent of the Method.
Darien has spent decades teaching in both private studios and global workshops, including founding Studio Darien in West Hollywood and later expanding her practice to Northern California. Over the years, she has worked with clients ranging from devoted students to high-profile athletes, including the singular Kobe Bryant, always emphasizing Classical integrity and correct form. Like many esteemed instructors, Darien has long relied on Gratz apparatus, recognizing the unmatched value of equipment built to Joseph Pilates’ original specifications.
In addition to her teaching, Darien is a respected voice in the Pilates community through her podcast, All Things Pilates, now in its seventh season. Her conversations with first- and second-generation teachers, historians, and movement professionals have helped bring greater visibility and depth to the Method’s lineage.
Now, Darien is expanding her reach with the launch of the Pilates Mastery™ app available on Google Play and Apple App Store—a digital resource designed to serve students, teachers, and anyone committed to Classical Pilates.
Pilates Mastery™ App
Are you ready to master your moves? With Darien Gold’s new app, Pilates Mastery™ not only does she continue with imparting the Method as she learned from Romana which started in 1994, but her app is already being accessed by Classical Pilates lovers around the world. And carrying forward Joseph Pilates’ deathbed declaration - “The whole world will be doing my Method.”
Inside this unique presentation are 3 different ways to learn more about Classical Pilates. With a simple and striking black background, these videos show Darien as she demonstrates portions of the repertoire taught by Romana. Darien’s stellar training reveals her strength and poise.
Learn, Practice, and Teach with Second Generation Instructor, Darien Gold
The first section of Videos includes six videos that are presented on the Gratz High Mat and will prepare you for practicing on the Gratz apparatus.
Pilates in 5, the second section, Darien demonstrates her depth of knowledge as she teaches and explains how a mat exercise evolves into an apparatus exercise. The other apparatus featured are Gratz Reformer, Ladder Barrel, Small Arm Chair, Electric Chair, and Wunda Chair.
The third part of the app is an original concept called Gold Talk. Recorded in Darien’s recording studio, she shares her opinions and advice, so if you are on a teacher’s path, this quiet environment feels as if she’s just speaking to you. Mentoring is on Darien’s radar and for anyone desiring to deepen their skillset as a Pilates teacher, please contact Darien.
Darien continues to honor Joseph Pilates’ vision. With Pilates Mastery™, she offers a pathway to experience, study, and embody the Method as it was taught to her: with precision, depth, and purpose.
About Darien Gold
Darien Gold has been teaching bodies for five decades beginning as a teenage competitive gymnast. When she discovered Contrology as a NY-trained professional dancer in 1992, it was a return to her gymnastics roots. Shortly after experiencing the power and possibilities of the Pilates Method, Darien was introduced to Romana Kryzanowska, then studied and certified with her in 1997. Read more about Darien here.