Rating: 
Summary: A very good book!
Review: This Pilates book is very descriptive. It describes all the exercises in fine detail. I suggest getting a video as well so you can see how these moves are preformed, but after that sticking with the book, since the book contains a lot more Pilates exercises then any video, with a lot more decription as well. The book is just the right size and the photos very clear and easy to follow. I like the workout too. It is classic Pilates and even contains arm exercises. This book is all you need to get up and going with Pilates for many years to come. I find it to be the best on the market so far. A must have and a very through workout!
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive Pilates Guide & Weight Loss/Maintenance Aid
Review: I bought 'The Pilates Body' after taking a few Pilates classes at my gym. Reading the book is like taking a class. It gives you every position that was covered in my class and more. Just add your determination to keep it up and you're set!As a beginner, I can testify that the author makes the descriptions easy to follow. The pictures are accurate and true-to-life. I did Pilates right after I did Weight Watchers. Pilates toned up my legs and tush. The toning created muscle, so I was burning fat even when I wasn't working out. I still ate probably too well, but I was able to maintain my desired weight by doing Pilates every Sunday morning and working out for 30 minutes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Not recommended for those with hip replacements and/or hip problems even if you are told that it is ok to do Pilates. Unfortunately, I had to stop doing Pilates because of my (genetic) hip problems. I miss it terribly!
Rating:
Summary: Best Pilates book for beginners
Review: This book made getting started with Pilates seem accessible and easy. The instructions were very clear and helpful. The optional moves in the back of the book are also great because once you get the initial work out down, you can add variety to your workout. I think my favorite aspect of the book is the fact that the workout is made to continually flow from one move to the next, which builds up stamina.
Rating:
Summary: My Quick & Dirty Pilates Body Review
Review: I looked over several popular Pilates books and in my opinion this one is the best! It is extremely hard to do such complex exercizes and movements out of a book, but Brooke Siler writes in such an informative and easy-to-understand way, that it is very easy to learn Pilates from this book. There are essentially three levels of skill in this book, although there are modified easy beginner exercizes and some extremely complex advanced/expert ones as well, but the way the book is laid out, you can go at yr own pace and take on more movements as you gain skill and expertise. The lay-out is excellent. The writing is concise and articulate. A+! If you buy one book about Pilates be sure to buy this one! And don't forget a rubber yoga mat, which you can buy for around [price], it makes it easier to maintain grip and cushion the floor when you do Pilates.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST toning exercises EVER!!
Review: I was skeptical when I purchased this book. I didn't know what pilates were and I assumed that it probably wouldn't work or I would get tired of it within a couple of weeks (because I have this motivational problem). BUT, so far, I have been on this program for about two months now and I ALREADY SEE RESULTS that I couldn't get from the gym. I am actually getting toned and I LOVE doing the exercises!! Not to mention the fact that my flexability has increased 100-fold. Before this book, I couldn't do sit-ups because they strained my back....and I am a fairly "fit" person. When I got this book, I realized I was using the wrong muscles and concept. I recommend this book to everyone wanting fun excersises that keep them motivated, and want to become toned.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for learning how to do Pilates at home.
Review: I became interested in Pilates after hearing so much about the wonderful benefits of this method, and I received this book as a gift. The author, Brooke Siler, comes across as strong yet graceful and enthusiastic yet soft-spoken. She has done an excellent job of explaining the Pilates technique at a beginning level. Brooke begins by giving some background on Pilates, including how it was developed, the core concepts associated with the method, and things you need to know prior to getting started. She then introduces a series of modified Pilates poses for the beginner. Brooke explains exactly how to move from the modified poses to the full beginner's poses, and from that point, how to add more intermediate and advanced exercises to your workout. The book also includes exercises for the very advanced plus a bonus section on arms. Brooke's instructions are made even easier by the fact that she uses three different models, one for each of the three levels of difficulty (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). Furthermore, Brooke offers helpful analogies, complete with illustrations, to demonstrate how you should be holding your body, such as imaging your midsection sewn to the ground or your arms pinned down with weights. The book also includes photographs of Joseph Pilates, who invented Pilates, at various ages to highlight the benefit of this exercise technique. After using this book for awhile, I eventually purchased several Pilates videos, and I found that I already knew exactly how to perform each of the exercises correctly. And even with the videos, I still return to the book for reminders and tips about form. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone would like to begin using Pilates for the first time or even for veteran Pilates exercisers who desire more precise instruction.
Rating:
Summary: a wonderful pilates book
Review: I'm not much for exercise books, but I must say that I love this book. It has a lot of exercises that you don't see on Pilates DVD's. Also I love the quality of the book paper, and the photographs. This book is very explicit in how to do the movements and everything. This is a must have for any person just starting out in Pilates or a Pilates enthusiast like me. Peaces
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Rating:
Summary: the best pilates book out there!
Review: this book is wonderful. i like sticking to the originals, and this book has the *entire* mat sequence explained and layed out for you. brooke is a wonderful coach, i'm sure. she explained each exercise perfectly well, and the "inside scoop" oppposite each exercise makes everything much easier to understand. her directions were very accurate; i bought a pilates video to see if what i was doing the exercises correctly, and i was! the book is also very beautifully formatted. i highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know anything and everything about pilates.
Rating: 
Summary: I really want to like this book!
Review: I wish I could be as enthusiastic about this book as all the other readers! I bought it with high hopes, but find that I can't stick with the workout regularly. In addition, I'm disappointed that many components of the workout have to be eliminated if the book purchaser has back trouble (which I do). I'm not sure I'd obtain a well-rounded workout that way. I'd love to make a Pilates routine work for me. If anyone has suggestions, please follow up in your review.
Rating:
Summary: this book will change your body
Review: This book is fabulous. 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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