A woman planking. Pilates is often associated with toned abs, but its original focus was posture, alignment and spinal support. When Joseph Pilates created the method in the early 20th century, he emphasized strengthening the muscles that stabilize the trunk and spine, laying the foundation for what we now call "deep core training." One thing I really love about Pilates is that it wasn’t designed for a specific audience and is a very inclusive form of exercise.