Rating: 
Summary: For the experienced
Review: I would agree with those who have said this is not for beginners. You need to know what you are doing to use this effectively. My wife and I enjoy it but we've been doing pilates for several years before this.
Rating:
Summary: Most accurate instruction for classical technique
Review: Brooke does a great job of giving clear instruction for classical Pilates technique while adding a little extra insight. She provides details that most books don't offer or most authors don't even comprehend. I like her style--it's straightforward and accurate, while giving a visual sketch of how your body should feel during each exercise. Along with a DVD such as Peter Fiasca's Classical Pilates, you can possess the tools to do Pilates effectively in your own home.
Rating: 
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.
Rating: 
Summary: Tried it but ended up painful
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.
| 
