The History of ITT Pilates

A Body of Work prides itself on having expert instructors that are equipped to handle every injury, fitness goal, and type of client they may encounter throughout their careers. While our trainers come from a variety of backgrounds, several are graduates of ABOW’s Pilates teacher training program, ITT Pilates. These trainers have developed a next-level expertise in Pilates and are prime examples of why ITT Pilates is the leading teacher training program in the U.S.

In 2003, ABOW Owner Jean Sullivan came together with three other Pilates Master Trainers and recognized the gap between what instructors were learning in their training programs and how it applied to real-life clients. As a result, she – along with Madeline Black, Joerg Chabowski, and Debra Schubert – set out to build a training program that provided students with a solid core of knowledge and a thorough understanding of the human body.

As ITT Pilates grew, Jean and her fellow Master Trainers had trouble running both the program and their own studios, resulting in a decision to go their separate ways. However, Jean wasn’t ready to give up just yet and decided to continue running ITT Pilates alone. To assist her in continuing the program, she brought on instructors Margaret Tappan and Fran Sholly, both of whom are now ABOW instructors, as well as instructors Ashley Beldon and Sue Aslin. With this group of experienced, committed instructors, Jean grew and developed ITT Pilates’ material to what it is today.

“The difference with the ITT program is that it’s not a factory training program, like some of the other new programs that we see [from chains and franchises]. It’s really more of a boutique experience, so the attention you receive in your training is so personalized and at such a higher skill level." - Lily, ITT Pilates Graduate

Today, ITT Pilates is recognized internationally for its consistently current and developing material, with graduates from all over the world. The program now has four host studios including A Body of Work and YA Pilates & Fitness of Tokyo, Japan. With an integrative approach to movement and passionate leadership, ITT Pilates has redefined Pilates instruction to countless students and continues to raise the bar for expert instruction. To learn more about ITT Pilates, head to ittpilates.net.