History of the Pilates Ladder Barrel

The original Ladder Barrel consisted of an upright structure with a curved top (the barrel), attachable to a ladder that was fixed to the window stool. The attachments were adjustable, so the barrel could be moved closer to the ladder, further away, and even taken completely off the ladder.  

The ladder was also unique. It was made of metal and had three rungs running across, with handle bars that were bent over the window stool with bicycle handle grips on them. The rungs of this original ladder were not spaced in the same ways as Joe’s final design for the barrel. As we can see in the photo, there was a large open space at the top of the ladder.  

Interestingly, the barrel also had a little ledge attached to it where one could sit when arching over the curve of the barrel. Joe painted this ledge with his signature silver paint, that he also used on other wooden apparatus around his studio.  

This was actually one of three different Ladder Barrels that Joseph Pilates archived over his lifetime. Another Ladder Barrel, also likely designed in the 1940s, was entirely made of wood (including the ladder) and looked more similar to the Ladder Barrel we use today.  

It did have the small ledge for support during extension over the barrel, and this ledge was adjustable for when it was or wasn’t needed. It also had an adjustable platform underneath it that could slide out from under the barrel anytime a shorter person wanted to stand on it to arch back on the barrel.   

Like the first barrel described, this version could also slide closer or further away from the ladder as needed. The rungs of this ladder were equally spaced and started at the top of the ladder. 

Joe’s final version of the Ladder Barrel made its first appearance in the studio in the 1960s, and it was continued to be used there, after Joe died and Clara took over the studio, and beyond.  

Made totally of wood, this final barrel did not have an adjustable box under it. The support ledge was also no longer part of his design, and the box under the barrel was no longer adjustable. The barrel itself, however, was still made to adjust closer or further away from the ladder. The rungs of the ladder were not equally spaced, but they did start at the top of the ladder.  

Over the years after Joe and Clara passed away, the barrel was painted different colors- beginning with a dark wood stain, and later painted red, then white. As the layers of paint built up, some of the details of the structure of the barrel were obscured. In particular, due to the thick layers of paint on the barrel, it was not clear that it had once been adjustable. For years, it remained in one position. 

Many years later, the old Ladder Barrel broke and was in need of repair. Since Gratz did all the repairs of the original equipment, and any equipment, at Drago’s Gym, they took it in to fix it. Only then did they notice and realize that it was originally made to be adjustable! They repaired the Ladder Barrel and reinforced the adjustable mechanism so that it would remain strong for years to come, which it has.

Preserving Joe’s Legacy Through Gratz Pilates  

In fact, this was the state of the Ladder Barrel when Gratz first began to replicate the original equipment for teachers to buy to open their own studios. They reproduced the Ladder Barrel just as it was- non-adjustable.

From that moment of discovery on, new Ladder Barrels were made to adjust closer and further away from the ladder once again. And, they are still made like this today. 

The Ladder Barrel continues to be built by Gratz with the same attention to authenticity and precision that first defined the equipment Joseph Pilates used in his studio. Today’s Gratz Ladder Barrel honors both the legacy of Joe’s original adjustable design and the refinements made through decades of Classical teaching. 

About Elaine Ewing

Elaine Ewing is the owner of Rhinebeck Pilates, and a third-generation, certified Authentic Pilates teacher and Certified Teacher of Teachers through the New York Pilates Studio®. Elaine is also the owner of many pieces of original equipment from Joseph Pilates’ 8th Avenue Studio and Carola Trier’s original studio, which can be found within Rhinebeck Pilates.

Copyright 2025 Elaine Ewing