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Summary: A second review after using the book for over 6 months
Review: Phenomenal and most of all do-able. This Pilates book has the best explanations and illustrations of all the ones out there. I know, I was in the mall and I checked them out.I bought this book over 6 months ago, as I felt I needed more than just a regular workout on an elliptical machine. I wrote a review on it shortly after I started and I wanted to update that as a number of people have emailed me for more information. Some background. I'm 43, female and 25% overweight, not exactly your svelte exerciser, so I knew I needed a routine that wouldn't hurt but would would get results. I work in an office and nothing is worse than sitting at your desk all day aching from the previous day's exercises. I started as recommended with Modified beginner exercises, the seven basic exercises and did this for about 3 weeks. No pain but some tightness I could feel in my abdomen. As I became confident, I moved onto the regular beginner exercises. Basically, I used my ability to do the "hundred" as a measure of when I was able to move on. I could see my progress from day to day. It was really neat. I did the exercises at least 5 days/week. As time went on I added more exercises from the full program. One or two each week depending on if they were similar or really hard to do. Some were, some weren't. Still no pain. I am now doing almost all (over 95%) of all, but the advanced exercises at least 5 days/week along with my elliptical machine routine and some weight lifting for my arms. I don't have time, I make time. In my opinion, this is as important as paying my bills. In someways, this is just what I'm doing. One question, I have been asked is am I seeing muscle definition. The answer is definitely yes. I am still overweight. I'm working on that too (I've lost 25 pounds through just exercising), so I'm not seeing a washboard stomach, as the fat above the muscles are still obscuring them, but I can see definition of my ribs and hips, along with distinct muscles in between. This is nothing I've ever seen before, even in my skinny high school days. One interesting measure of how far I've gone is watching my teenage children trying to mock me doing the exercises. Both are slim and in good shape, but neither can dive in and do the intermediate exercises that I'm doing with the same ease I am. In fact they are shocked they can't do more than a couple repetitions. Not because it hurts so much, but because they have not build up the strength. That is another thing that I mentioned in my previous review, these exercises provide the feedback you need to continue on. You see it in each day in each exercise as they become easier. Also you see it in your day to day tasks. For me, it was an excellent investment.
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Summary: this book will change your body
Review: This book is fabulous. (well, perhaps it won't change your body ... only you will... but it will help!) Brooke includes alot of interesting helpful info about the history of Pilates and its techniques. I like the fact that she emphasizes visual imagery as being part of Pilates. The book is definitely one you can grow with as the exercises range from beginner to intermediate to advanced. She also includes "Advanced Extra" exercises, toning exercises, with and without weights and a Cool down. Each two pages are devoted to one exercise so you can easily place the book open next to your mat and refer to it as you exercise. What does Pilates do for your body? It makes you feel wonderful to start. it works your lower abs like nothing you've ever tried before. I've worked out for years, doing hanging leg raises and reverse crunches, ball work but Pilates seems to work your abs the best. When you have the correct form, you seem to work your muscles deep within your body; rather than just building the exterior ab muscles. Similarly, the side leg exercises - they seem pretty basic but if you are doing them correctly, you are working your "powerhouse", your arms and your legs. All this week, I've felt like I've been at the gym doing heavy weight work on my legs but actually, all for my legs, all I've done is Pilates! I've lost 3lbs in the last month but people think I've lost "a lot" of weight. Some people think this is a waste of time (if you're not sweating like crazy, you're not working out). But Pilates has so many benefits - it will actually increase your athletic performance! Pilates also improves your flexibility and this flexibility is helping me with my other activities like kickboxing and running. Another thing I like about this book and Pilates is you are only required to do a few reps of each exercise so it's easy to motivate yourself. Finally, this book is just so easy to use and portable - you only really need it, a mat, a bit of space. And, you can throw in your favourite CD to make things more fun! This book by Brooke Siler is graphically attractive and visually easy to use (as compared to some other Pilates books). Try it out!
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Summary: THE Pilates Book
Review: If you're even remotely interested in Pilates, I highly recommend that you buy this book or even get it at the library. My background is yoga and I was a little turned off by Pilates in the beginning. Slowly I came around. Now I divide my workouts between Pilates and Power Yoga and I have noticed serious results after a month. My ab muscles are very strong. I can do the majority of the Pilates moves without straining. This book covers every Pilates movement from Beginner, to Intermediate and Advanced. There's even a chart that shows 34 exercises that you can build up to. There's no doubt that Pilates isn't just a fad or a phase. I've never worked out in this short length of time and seen such dramatic results.
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Summary: Helpful but not for beginners
Review: After taking a few Pilates matwork and allegro classes, I was fairly confident that I had gotten down the basics and would feel comfortable trying some of the matwork at home. This book, unfortunately, was a lot tougher to follow than I would have liked. It offers a reasonably good introduction to the principles of Pilates, but is woefully inadequate in its actual instructions. For instance, each exercise is broken down into steps, but the precise nature of the motions is not really described. When Siler suggests that you repeat a certain part of the exercise, it's not clear where you're supposed to start over (from the top? repeat the step?); the illustrations show models in certain positions, which are helpful, but they only show two pictures per exercise, so it's not clear how you should be moving from point A to point B. For an exercise method that stresses fluidity, rhythm, and form, this book is better used as a guide than as an instruction manual. And it should definitely be used in conjunction with classes, so that an instructor can correct your posture, alignment, etc.
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Summary: An excellent explanation of Pilates
Review: Pilates is a highly-touted exercise program used by some of the world's most admired bodies: those of dancers, models, and actors and actresses. Although Wellness and Fitness Centers have entered the American marketplace on a grand scale, there is a scarcity of certified Pilates instructors. This means that there is a real need for books and videos introducing the Pilates program to the public. "The Pilates Body" is an excellent source of information about this complex workout system. It is complex because it involves unique postures and movements that utilize several muscle groups to perform. Breathing is important, as is the positioning of various parts of the body such as one's chin, feet, and shoulders. "The Pilates Body" provides detailed information about these exercises. Brooke Siler starts out with an inspiring and motivating introduction, in which she emphasizes the importance of "combating the mind's self-deprecation" in order to succeed. She covers the fundamental principles of Pilates matwork, lists "key elements to mastering the mat," and answers frequently asked questions. Devoted solely to matwork that can be done at home, the book is organized by type of exercise: modified beginners, the full program, advanced extras, standing arms, and cooldown. Exercises are categorized by difficulty: beginner, intermediate, advanced, and very advanced. Step by step instructions are included, as are sequences of photographs that depict a model performing the poses. Stiler includes a visual image to guide each posture; this is illustrated in the upper right corner of each page with, for example, the picture of a mermaid, of someone with a balloon tied around her chest, or someone with straps holding down her legs as she rolls up. In this way Stiler emphasizes the importance of the mind-body connection for Pilates success. Further instructional points include the goal of the exercise, keys to success, and no-nos to avoid. The back of the book includes a directory of Pilates Studios, a glossary of terms, and information about the author. This book is so thorough that it should answer any question about Pilates that may arise in an individual's mind, except for one: how are the equipment and accessories associated with Pilates used? That answer is found in "The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning" by Sean P. Gallagher and Romana Kryzanowska. The two books used together are an excellent resource for the would-be Pilates practitioner who does not have a Studio nearby. "The Pilates Body" is highly recommended for anyone interested in this compelling fitness program.
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Summary: Great supplement to Pilates classes
Review: This is a great resource if you're already familiar with the exercises. The tips definitely help you practice at home better. However, I feel that the very nature of Pilates necessitates that you invest in one-on-one sessions, even just at the beginning to familiarize yourself with the moves and ensure you have the correct form. Even if you know in your mind what to do and feel you are doing it correctly, it takes a trained eye to point out what you are doing wrong. I think other reviewers' experiences of sore necks and shoulders are because of wrong form. I started Pilates a month ago with a very good instructor at the advice of my doctor because of a bad back, and I must say it's worth every penny. My posture, flexibility and abdominal strength have improved significantly even after only a month---and there's no pain. The review that said you feel exhilirated and not exhausted at the end of each session is so true. But honestly, I doubt I can learn Pilates and do the moves correctly with only this book as guide.
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Summary: Tried it but ended up painful
Review: I tried it, but the book is rather convoluted, I find myself confused about the instructions. And I ended up having a sprained shoulder. Dangerous.
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Summary: Perfect way to teach Pilates
Review: I took a Pilates class about 5 years ago in college and I only stuck with it for about two weeks because I would always have pain in my neck and lower back and I thought it was because I just couldn't do the excerises like they were meant to be done. I love Siler's book because she actually explains why people have pain when they are a beginner and what you can do about. After reading her book a few times I learned how to support the muscles of my neck and back and now I NEVER hurt while I'm practicing Pilates. Also the little picures and cartoons Siler uses to help you learn the moves are invaluable. They really help you understand what you are supposed to feel when do the exercises. I am really getting in shape and I can actually see abdominal muscles (that I've never seen before) because I am using Brooke's book. I very, very highly recommend it!!
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Summary: Simply Outstanding
Review: It is difficult to describe the effort spent in going through countless books on this distinctive subject matter before deciding on Brooke Siler's book. Brooke's book is, by far, the most clear, the most concise, and the most illuminating. The balance between the technical - and what I inferred as the philosophical subject matter -- was really brilliant! As a long-time certified pilates practictioner, personal trainer, and pilates entrepreneur I only hope I can capture and convey the intangible qualities of pilates, in the way Brooke does in this book. Put simply, with its' combination of stunning photographs, its' clever illustrations, and its' detailed and stylish cueing techniques, this book is outstanding and truly celebrates the integrity within the pilates method of movement.
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Summary: Read this before buying the book.
Review: Well laid out and an easy read, I recommend it either for the person starting out in Pilates or anyone that wants a resource of the various exercises. Offers different levels of exercises as well. Also recommend "Treat Your Own Knees" if knee pain intereferes with your Pilates routine.
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