Gratz Industries

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Overview

Gratz Industries manufactures Pilates equipment based on original designs from Joseph Pilates. It produces custom furniture, sculptures, architectural metalwork, displays, signage, lighting fixtures, and exercise equipment. The company operates from Philadelphia and serves studios in over 170 countries.

History

Gratz Industries was founded in 1929 as a custom metal and furniture workshop in New York City. In the 1960s, a protégé of Joseph Pilates commissioned the company to build equipment based on his original designs. It relocated to Philadelphia 12 years prior to 2024 and was acquired by John Riccitiello and Elizabeth Osterman in June 2024.

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Professional Pilates Reformer	Studio-grade reformer apparatus	$5,000 - $7,000
Cadillac Pilates Table	Full-body Pilates tower	$6,000 - $8,000
Classic Wunda Chair	Compact high-resistance chair	$2,500 - $4,000
Magic Circle	Resistance ring accessory	$50 - $100
Mat Plus	Pilates exercise mat	$100 - $200

Manufacturing

Products are hand-built in a facility in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with an upholstery department on site. The company plans to expand to a 150,000 square foot headquarters in Port Richmond. Manufacturing occurs in-house in the United States.

Notable Products

Professional Reformer - Standard Pilates reformer used in studios worldwide based on original designs.
Cadillac - Versatile tower apparatus for advanced exercises.
Wunda Chair - Small footprint chair for strength and control work.
Ladder Barrel - Curved barrel for spinal articulation and core training.
Ped-a-Pul - Spring-loaded pulley system for upper body work.

Reputation

Gratz is recognized by Pilates professionals for producing equipment faithful to Joseph Pilates' original specifications. Enthusiasts value its durability and handcrafted quality. Some note higher prices compared to contemporary brands.

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