About Gratz

Gratz Mission

At Gratz Pilates, our mission is to preserve and advance the authentic legacy of Joseph Pilates by crafting precision apparatus that empowers practitioners and teachers worldwide. We aim to uphold timeless Pilates principles, foster a deeper connection between body and mind, and support a global community dedicated to strength, alignment, and well-being.

A New Chapter

On June 5, 2024, longtime Classical Pilates enthusiasts and Gratz customers John Riccitiello and Elizabeth Osterman became owners of Gratz Pilates. Their vision is to build on Gratz’s legacy of exceptional craftsmanship while reducing delivery lead times and expanding global access to the original equipment of the method. With deep respect for tradition and a forward-looking mindset, their leadership marks a new era of growth and service for the classical Pilates community.

Gratz Values

At Gratz, our work is guided by four core values: Authenticity, Craftsmanship, Community, and Excellence.

As the original manufacturer of Pilates apparatus designed by Joseph Pilates, we honor Authenticity by staying true to his original specifications. Every piece we make reflects the Craftsmanship of our skilled artisans, is built to support a Community of teachers and students and upholds the Excellence that has made Gratz trusted worldwide for generations.

Authenticity

Gratz Pilates is the original manufacturer of Pilates apparatus based on Joseph Pilates’s own designs. We remain dedicated to the classical method and committed to producing equipment with the dimensions and integrity that define authentic Pilates.

Craftmanship

Our artisans — machinists, upholsterers, welders, seamsters, woodworkers — are stewards of a legacy. Each Gratz piece is built by hand with precision and purpose, reflecting the timeless standards of Joseph Pilates and the high expectations of our community.

Community

We proudly serve the global classical Pilates community. From first-time students to master teachers, we provide equipment and support that honors every practitioner’s journey and helps preserve the original method for generations to come.

Excellence

We are committed to continuous improvement in every aspect of our work — product quality, service, innovation, and education. Inspired by the precision of Joseph Pilates and the passion of Romana Kryzanowska, we strive for excellence in everything we do.

Classical Forever

Gratz is synonymous with the classical Pilates method. Our apparatus is not a modern adaptation — it’s the equipment designed to support the work as Joseph Pilates intended. That precision matters. Classical Pilates demands specificity, alignment, and balance, and our equipment is engineered to meet that need. Gratz helps teachers teach better and students go deeper.

Gratz History

Founded in 1929 by MIT-trained engineer Frank Gratz and business partner Edward Treitel, Gratz began as Treitel-Gratz Co., Inc., a custom metalworking and furniture fabrication shop in New York City. Known for precision and excellence, the company produced architectural metalwork and furniture for top designers.

In the late 1960s, Frank’s son Donald Gratz began collaborating with Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates’s protégé, to fabricate apparatus true to the original Pilates designs. That collaboration launched Gratz as the first and only manufacturer of classical Pilates apparatus — built to Joseph Pilates’s original specifications.

For over 80 years, Gratz operated in New York before moving its production to Philadelphia in 2014, enabling scaled manufacturing while retaining artisanal integrity. In 2006, David Rosencrans joined as managing partner, revitalizing the company’s industrial design focus and reinforcing its motto: “Joe invented it. Gratz makes it.”

Today, Gratz continues to lead the industry by producing the most authentic Pilates apparatus available — deeply rooted in history, committed to the present, and inspired by the future.

Gratz Equipment

Gratz has been dedicated to crafting Pilates apparatus that stays true to Joseph Pilates’ vision. Every Reformer, Tower, Cadillac, Chair, Barrel, Mat, and accessory is built with precision to support the Classical method as it was intended — delivering the feel, resistance, and durability that generations of teachers and practitioner's trust.

Each piece is made in Philadelphia using high-quality materials. The result is equipment that not only withstands years of use but also provides consistent feedback and control essential for deepening practice and teaching.

Gratz apparatus is found in studios and training programs worldwide, serving as the standard for Classical Pilates education and performance. From renowned teachers to up-and-coming practitioners, our equipment continues to be the foundation for growth, progression, and excellence in the Pilates community.