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Summary: A User-Friendly Guide to Pilates Workout
Review: I bought this book based on the reviews I read here, and I am happy to report that the reviews were right! This is a very user-friendly, extremely informative book for somebody like me, who has been interested in knowing what the recent craze is all about. Low-key, but full of practical information about the exercise and its philosophy behind it, it inspired me to start this very promising workout. It explains each movement thoroughly and shows the entire flow of exercise, using photos. I cannot wait to master all the moves. I hope the author will make a video based on this book soon!
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Summary: Worthwhile Investment
Review: After reading about the Pilates Method in magazines for months now, I decided to try it for myself. When I began to look through the book, the models really discouraged me. They looked so athletic and flexible. I kept thinking "theres's no way I'm going to look like this!" But then I actually began reading the book; the introduction and thorough explanation of the Pilates Method. The more I read, the more I was incouraged to start. I started out with the modified beginner exercises and within the first week, my legs and stomach felt tighter, yet flexible. I found this book an excellent way to introduce and instruct the Pilates Method. Each exercise is clearly described and pictured. Sure, the Advanced exercises are still intimidating, but I definitely feel better about myself at having started the program. I actually look forward to exercising every morning before work. Pilates has also helped relieve tension in my lower back. I would encourage anyone who is bored with sit ups and aerobics to read Brooke's book and try the Pilates Method. You'll be glad you did!
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Summary: The Pilates Body - I am convinced!
Review: I had the occasion to thumb through this book at a friend's house recently and was rather impressed with it (and with the results my friend has had). Yet, I still did not run out to buy it, however, after reading the previous excellent reviews I'm ordering it asap. Hope I will have such marvelous results to report in the near future. Thank you to all of you who wrote such clear, comprehensive reviews.
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Summary: The Pilates Body
Review: The clear, well written directions in The Pilates Body led me to immediately retrain my breathing. As I sat at my desk at work I could practice. Then I could easily recall that simple direction as I stood to walk. By concious awareness of the directions given by Ms. Sidler, I was able to eliminate pain from my knee and arthritic hip. And that's before I even got home where I could practice the basic exercises in The Pilates Body.I found it easy to look at the pictures and directions while moving through the routines. I especially appreciate the beginning beginners section. It encourages me to go on when I might become overwhelmed by the full routine. The conditions in my left leg have made most exercise difficult or impossible. But with the above mentioned improvement, I have recommended the book to others, and plan to give it to my daughters. The choice of paper stock use for the cover and body of the book is so enjoyable to touck; it just adds one more dimension to the total pleasure this books brings to my life.
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Summary: The Pilates Body
Review: Ms. Siler's book is probably the most inspirational exercise/spiritual motivator that I've come across in a while. Siler has developed a program that is easy to follow, feels great and (most important) is something I really enjoy fitting into my day. I've dabbled in Pilates before but since moving to a small town, I haven't found the program locally. I'm delighted to have access to it again through The Pilates Body--the exercises are easy to follow and the book is well laid out. Check out the "no-nos" that alert you to ways you may be doing the exercises incorrectly. Most exercise books don't include these types of tips. I highly recommend Siler's book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great, but not the best.
Review: This book is one of the best references on the Pilates Method available today, but it's not good enough to be considered a how-to manual. Although a great source of information on the principles of the mat workout, lacks precise instructions on the execution of the exercises, and doesn't include any reference to the equipment and accessories associated to the Method. Learning Pilates from this book without the aid of classes to explain and ensure correct form and fluid, rhythmic movements is very difficult. Its instructions on the motions of the exercises are confusing and not always precise, and its visualizations and diagrams are not clear enough for the inexperienced. Furthermore, only two photographs are given to illustrate each exercise, which are insufficient to properly explain all the necessary motions and positions to perform them.
The book only includes the mat workout, which is presented in an well-organized format for various complete workouts, from modified beginner to extra advanced, divided according to the type and level of difficulty of the exercises they comprise. Also, for quick consultations, each complete workout is illustrated in a chart as a sequential list of all its exercises.
As a bonus, the book includes a section on Frequently Asked Questions, a Glossary, and a directory of Pilates Studios in the US.
I slowly started doing Pilates with this book, but I didn't get too far, as I would sometimes hurt myself as a consequence of a misinterpretation of its instructions. Then I found "Pilates: Body in Motion" by Alycea Ungaro, which is a far superior volume. With its help I took a breath of fresh air that has lasted until today, and I am now doing the advanced workout all by myself. For a satisfying workout that in a short time shows dramatic results that stay with you for a long time, I can't praise enough the Pilates Method. But if you are trying to do the workout by yourself without the convenience of classes, this book is not the best place to start, you'll do better if you refer to Ungaro's book first and then try this one for additional exercises. I assure you that you won't be disappointed.
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Summary: this book makes a difference!
Review: A friend told me about Siler's pilates exercises changing her overall body shape and giving her more energy. I was doubtful that it would help me, but I went ahead and bought the book. Four weeks later, I am now feeling better and others have mentioned I look more toned and healthy. This book is easy to use and you do not have to have an instructor at your side. The photographs are very helpful and there are even alterations in the exercises for beginners.
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Summary: The best Pilates book I found
Review: As a beginning Pilates student who isn't in a position to take classes or get private training, I found an approach that is working well for me. First, I made a decision to stick with "official" Pilates materials. That meant that several different books and videos were available explaining exactly the same exercises. If it something is unclear in one, it is often clarified in another source. The Pilates variations don't offer that benefit. Second, I realized that a combination of a book and a video worked well. The book gives me the details, tells me which muscles to work and what pitfalls to avoid. The video gives me a sense of pace and answers a lot of questions that just can't be answered in the book. Third, I went through all the Pilates books I could find until I found the best one: Brooke Siler's. I also ordered a video directly from the Pilates Studio in NY which shows Romana K..(sp?) teaching the routine from beginning to end. I've found The Pilates Body to be a terrific reference. It's been my Bible as I learn Pilates, much more than even the video. She explains the moves well, with excellent photos to illustrate each move. She tells you which exercises to skip if you have particular injuries, which common mistakes to avoid, and how to make the exercise easier and harder. I found her guidance on how to build up your routine terrific. She offers a sensible "pre-beginner" program, then divides the routine into beginning, intermediate, advanced and super advanced levels. A different model illustrates each level, so you have an immediate key to which exercises should be within your range. Some of the simple looking exercises are VERY difficult, so this is helpful. I go back to this book after every time I do my Pilates, to refine what I'm doing. It is the best substitute I can find for a personal Pilates trainer.
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Summary: Excellent synopsis of the mat work
Review: I am male and have ten month of Pilates experience in a local sports club. I do know a total of nearly ten different trainers now, but intensely only two to three.
I read this book during an involuntary break of my exercises due to a flue. Reading helps the mind part of the exercises a lot. I did learn quite a bit in the details of the descriptions of various exercises. I already read this book half a year ago (at that time I was totally addicted to Pilates) and still was surprised about the totally "new" gems in the book.
The main part of the book is the detailed description of a long sequence of exercises on the mat. It is illustrated with excellent photos. All the goals are stated (the why of this particular exercise) and also important a short list of no-no's.
It takes considerably longer to read through the description of a single exercise than actually doing it even ten times. A lot of different things have to be coordinated and watched out for. The list is by far not complete, but an extremely good start and refresher. Obviously mastering an exercise takes a long time. But good results are fast. The complexity keeps your cerebellum active and one does not get bored too quickly.
The claim of getting a new body within a few dozen hours of exercise is a big exaggeration. But I certainly feel different and most importantly better due to Pilates.
The book is clearly worth owning. If you do not have the luck of having trainers you should consider of getting one or more books by other authors to complete your vision.
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Summary: A worth-while addition to your Pilates references.
Review: When I was trying to decide which ONE book to buy for learning the Pilates matwork, it was quite overwhelming. There are scads of books out there on the subject - I think I read the Amazon reviews on over 100 books with 'Pilates' in the title. Some were explanations of how to do the original matwork, like this book, and some were spin-offs on Pilates - same name, different program. It seemed that the top two contenders in popularity were this book and the one by Alycea Ungaro, called 'Pilates: Body in Motion'. I bought that one first, and then decided to buy this one to compare. This is my take on it: Ungaro's book 'Pilates: Body in Motion' has much more detailed photographs of the exercises, complete explanations to go with each step-by-step photo, a very full explanation of how-to, what to watch out for, tips, pointers, etc. In contrast, The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler has fewer pictures to guide you through the exercises. There is a full written explanation of how to do each exercise, with basically the same information as the other book, although sometimes she gives instructions that are not found in Ungaro's book (also, Ungaro sometimes gives tips that are not in Siler's book). The advantage in this book, and the reason I recommend buying it ALSO, is that it has more thorough coverage of advanced exercises - many are included here that are not in Ungaro's book. I would recommend that Ungaro's book be used for initial learning, and this book should be added for more explanation on how to do the exercises, plus for additional exercises in the advanced levels. Another thing I like about this book is that all the exercises are in the sequence of the advanced program, so you can just flip through the book in order, and leave out the exercises that are too advanced for you, where-as in the other book, the beginner exercises go together, then a useful sequential beginner routine is shown. After that, the intermediate exercises are shown grouped together, and then the sequential intermeidate routine is shown, but if you want to refere to any of the the detailed teaching pages of the beginner exercises that are also part of the intermediate routine (which builds on and incorporates the beginner routine), you have to flip back to the beginner section, and the same is true when you get to the advanced exercises. In other words, in Ungaro's book, the exercises are grouped by level, whereas in Siler's book, the exercises for the complete advanced routine are sequential, but labeled as beginner, intermediate or advanced, because this is a program that builds on the previous levels. This book can be obtained for a good price 'used' in Amazon, which is how I purchased it. I would recommend both of these excellent books for a more complete understanding of how to do with exercises.
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