The History of The Foot Corrector

In writing, Joe’s original patent explains in detail how he intended for the Foot Corrector to be used, and he also explained how it worked. Most notably, the patent clearly outlines the direction in which the Foot Corrector was supposed to be placed on the floor, according to Joe’s original intentions: 

“The device consists of the foot support… which has a small depression at its front longer end… A similar depression is provided at the rear, short end for the heel”. 

In other words, the long end of the base (the “foot support”) is meant to be placed forward on the floor, away from the student, while the shorter end of the base is meant to be at the back of the device, towards the student.  

Have you ever wondered why the Foot Corrector plate is slightly indented? Joe explains this as well: 

“A felt pad corresponding to the size of the foot is inserted into this depression, which, adapted to the toes, provides them with a firm feel.” 

The purpose of the Foot Corrector is in Joe’s original title for the apparatus, “Device for eliminating or improving leg and foot defects”, and Joe even specifies what parts of the foot become stronger from its use: 

 ”The ligaments of the foot, but mainly the flexor muscles. are strengthened, and the bones are gradually pushed back so that the foot can regain its correct shape with the aid of suitable massage”. 

It’s also important to note that Joe had two different designs for the Foot Corrector, which most likely came about in succession. We can see that the foot plate on Joe’s patent was substantially thicker than his later design, which was a much lower profile. It is likely that Joe abandoned this thicker design and opted for the version we are most familiar with today, because we don’t have any evidence of the continued existence of older style ongoing. 

The thicker base did change the design of the Foot Corrector substantially. According to the patent drawing, the thick base housed the springs, which were pushed down by separate pistons above the springs and attached to the pedal above the platform. In Joe’s later design, the springs were above the platform, and directly underneath the pedal.  

Drawings from the Foot Corrector patent.

Today, the Foot Corrector is known for having two, firm springs on each side of the pedal. But when Joseph Pilates was patenting the apparatus, he mentioned that other elements could be used for tension other than springs, such as air or water. 

2 classified advertisements placed by Joe Pilates in 1923.

After Joe received the patent for his Foot Corrector in 1923, he wasted no time to try to monetize it. Through my research I found two different, classified ads that Joe placed in Germany only a couple months after he was granted the patent for the Foot Corrector. 

It is unknown if anyone contacted him or if any success came from these ads, although it doesn’t seem like it because we don’t have any evidence of anything like that happening with the Foot Corrector in Germany, or in any country during that time. It wasn’t until many decades later, when Gratz became the first company to produce the Foot Corrector according to Joe’s original design, that people around the world began to use and benefit from Joe’s invention.

The Original Foot Corrector, from Sean Gallagher’s Pilates Archives®.

 

The oldest Foot Corrector known to date comes from Joe Pilates’ original studio and is now part of Sean Gallagher’s Pilates Archives®. The foot plate for this archival piece is painted red, and it is unknown if Joe himself painted it that color or if it was painted in later years. 

Gratz Foot Corrector Today

Today, the Gratz Foot Corrector remains rooted in Joe’s patent drawings and descriptions. The proportions, spring placement, pedal shape, and orientation of the base reflect the historical evolution of the apparatus — including the lower-profile design that followed Joe’s earliest, thicker-base model.

The current Gratz Foot Corrector features:

• Dual springs positioned above the platform, directly beneath the pedal

• A low, stable base consistent with the later iteration of Joe’s design

• A slightly indented foot plate, echoing Joe’s original description of a supportive depression for the toes

• Firm, consistent tension intended to challenge the intrinsic muscles of the foot

The function and feel remain aligned with Joe’s original intent: to strengthen the ligaments of the foot, activate the flexor muscles, and restore structural integrity through precise, controlled resistance.

More than a small accessory, the Foot Corrector represents Joseph Pilates’ early engineering mindset — a focused device built to address structural imbalance at its source. Its continued production ensures that teachers today can work with an apparatus that closely reflects the historical lineage of Contrology.

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 2026 Elaine Ewing