The History of the Toe Exerciser
By Elaine Ewing
The Toe Exerciser, also referred to as the Toe Corrector is one of several “Magic Squares” invented by Joseph Pilates for different purposes. The Toe Corrector design includes two straps to go over the big toes, with a small spring between them. Also, between the loops are thin metal pieces that form a diamond shape when the apparatus is not in use. When the spring is pulled, the metal pieces are also pulled to a degree that reflects the effort and strength that the student puts into the exercise.
Connection to Other Magic Squares
Two other “Magic Squares” that were of similar design are what we know today as the Neck Stretcher and the Hand Tensometer. At this time, it is unclear whether any of these terms were actually used by Joe himself, including the term “Toe Corrector”. Hopefully some day we can confirm the names that Joe gave all the apparatus of this style.
Historical Use of the Toe Corrector
The earliest information archived by Joseph Pilates about the Toe Corrector was in the 1940s. He used Toe Correctors with dancers at Jacob’s Pillow, and he also used them with his students who were not dancers in his New York City studio over the decades following.
Very little detailed written information from Joseph Pilates exists at this point in time about the Toe Corrector. However, one thing we do know is that Joe claimed it would “make bunions disappear and correct the position of your toes!” Whether that is exactly possible is a different story.
Although we have little written instructions from Joe Pilates about how to use the Toe Corrector, he did archive how to use it through photos and film. We can also see in photos from his New York City studio that Toe Correctors hung prominently next to the mirrors and reformers, suggesting that they were used often enough to require quick accessibility.
Archival Apparatus Design
We are also very fortunate to have two different original, archival Toe Correctors in existence today that reveal insight into the designs that Joe intended for this apparatus.
One Toe Corrector designed by Joe has blue vinyl straps that actually swivel when the apparatus is in use. This Toe Corrector is in Sean Gallagher’s collection of Original and Archival Pilates Apparatus, and is from Joe’s New York City studio. It was part of a collection of small apparatus which also included an original Neck Stretcher and an original Foot Corrector. It's always incredible when the original springs are still intact on any archival apparatus, as it is with this piece. Because the spring has been preserved, we’re able to feel the spring tension that Joe originally intended for the Toe Corrector and it is actually incredibly light!
The photo shows an example of the original spring still attached to the apparatus, along with a replacement spring that was made in 2019 of the same tension. Although Joe did intend for another Magic Square- The Neck Stretcher- to be used with either a heavy or light spring, depending on the person or the exercise, as far as we know, the spring on the Toe Corrector was not interchangeable in the same way.
Another Original Toe Corrector Design
Another original Toe Corrector found its way into Elaine Ewing’s collection of original and archival pilates apparatus in 2024 as part of an estate sale of a family whose relative was a student of Joe Pilates in the late 1940s-early 1950s. The Toe Corrector was one of the pieces of a larger collection of items found in an attic, along with an original Bednasium, original Junior Reformer, 2 original metal Magic Circles, and a large box of original springs, handles, roll back bars, a Neck Stretcher, and finally, the Toe Corrector.
The house had been in the family for 3 generations, and according to the antiques specialist there, it was a family who “saved everything”. Thanks to this, we have been able to learn so much about many pieces of archival pilates apparatus that were previously unknown and lost to time.
Comparing Original and Modern Toe Correctors
The Toe Corrector from this collection is a perfect example of this. Interestingly, this Toe Corrector is a bit different from the one from Sean’s collection described above. The loops on this Toe Corrector don’t swivel, and they’re made of brown leather. The spring is also light, but not quite as light as the other original Toe Corrector. This leads us to believe that Joe had slight variations in spring tensions on his Toe Correctors, although based on archival documentation, we don’t believe he ever made them “heavy” so to speak.
Today, Toe Correctors are made with a spring that is heavier than either of the two original springs that I wrote about above. Most Toe Correctors are made without swivels.
Using the Toe Corrector Today
Even though Joe Pilates did describe the Toe Corrector to be able to correct foot issues such as bunions and toe positions, its important to first see a medical professional to find out if a Toe Corrector can address your particular issues that may be due to genetics, injury or decades of misuse. With doctor’s approval, the best way to then learn how to use a Toe Corrector is by working with a classically trained pilates teacher who has experience and understands what exercises to give you to ensure that your use of the toe corrector addresses your feet issues from the powerhouse down, and from the feet up.
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