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| The Pilates Body: The Ultimate At-Home Guide to Strengthening, Lengthening, and Toning Your Body--Without Machines | 
 enlarge | Author: Brooke Siler
Publisher: Broadway
Category: Book
List Price: $18.00
Buy New: $1.60
You Save: $16.40 (91%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $1.60
Avg. Customer Rating:  (139 reviews)
Sales Rank: 5440
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 208
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 7.6 x 0.5
ISBN: 076790396X
Dewey Decimal Number: 613.71
EAN: 9780767903967
ASIN: 076790396X
Publication Date: January 4, 2000
Release Date: January 4, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The Pilates method may be today's hottest exercise, but it has been endorsed by physicians for almost a century. Originally developed by Joseph H. Pilates to help strengthen and condition muscles, Pilates is the ultimate mind-body exercise for anyone who wants to tone, streamline, and realign their body without the bulked-up results of more conventional workout methods.
Now, in The Pilates Body, author Brooke Siler--one of the most sought-after personal trainers in the country and owner of New York's top studio for Pilates training, re:AB--provides a complete, easy-to follow program of Pilates exercises that can be done anywhere, anytime, and without machines.
With step-by-step instructions, Siler guides the reader through the complete circuit of mat exercises, each of which is clearly illustrated by photographs, line drawings, and unique visualization exercises. With Pilates you will not only streamline your figure--you will dramatically improve your posture, flexibility, and balance, and enhance your physical and emotional well-being. The Pilates Body shows you how.
Amazon.com Review
Thin-but-fit supermodels like Amber Valletta and Shalom Harlow and actresses like Ally McBeal's Courtney Thorne-Smith and Liv Tyler swear by Pilates workouts to keep their figures toned and flexible. The Pilates Body is the latest in a string of books dedicated to this fitness program, which is now soaring in popularity nearly 100 years after it was first developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany in the early 1900s. While today's Pilates studios take advantage of patented and intimidating-looking equipment that costs thousands of dollars (and therefore charge accordingly for private sessions), each exercise in The Pilates Body can be performed with just an exercise mat. While all parts of the body are used in the exercises, the focus is on the abdominals, or "powerhouse," which support the back; this makes Pilates an ideal exercise for those with back problems--or those hoping to prevent them. Author Brooke Siler, who trained with Romana Kryzanowska, the oldest living protege of Joseph Pilates, organizes her book impeccably. After discussing proper alignment and ways to modify the exercises for those with neck, knee, or lower back pain, she jumps right into the 60-plus exercises, which are divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. What differentiates Siler's book from the other Pilates titles is that she includes a disclaimer about the models: "The models in this book have been training in the Pilates method for years. Although their bodies may seem to represent an unrealistic ideal for many, they have worked hard to achieve their fitness goals. I hope in earnest that they do not intimidate but inspire." Also, each exercise is given a two-page spread of its own, and is accompanied by clear photographs and helpful graphics. For example, for the "inner-thigh lifts," there's an illustration suggesting that you imagine a stack of books on the lifting leg to help you increase resistance. Each exercise also includes what Siler calls "The Inside Scoop," or tips she's learned from training hundreds of clients. These include the main goal of the exercise; simple modifications for beginners; important keys to remember while doing the move; and no-nos to prevent injury. While it's important to concentrate and get the technique of each exercise down, Siler's book is perfect for anyone looking for a simple exercise program that promises results, requires a minimum of time, and can be done at home or while traveling. --Erica Jorgensen
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| Customer Reviews: Read 134 more reviews...
 Good To Have October 3, 2008
I always enjoy having a reference book/guide for things I am doing and this one is a good one if you have any interest in doing Pilates.
The photos and descriptions are detailed and there is great information on the general principles of Pilates and how it was developed.
A very good book to have.
 Worth a read September 11, 2008
Good picture demonstrations and instructions. The tips are well worth the book if you are an instructor.
Outstanding Pilates book! June 30, 2008
As a beginner to the practice of Pilates, I found the Siler book indispensable--motivating, easy to use, geared to exercisers at all levels. A great buy.
The Best Pilates Book Out There April 27, 2008
If you want to start a home Pilates program this book is the only one you should consider. It is well-written, with very detailed instructions and photos. I especially liked the bullet list of special tips included with each exercise and the categorization of the exercises into Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Very Advanced.
Excellent book--but use it as a supplement to a good teacher April 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had bilateral hip replacements three years ago (at 52), and now people think I'm in my 40's and I get called "well-preserved" (which makes me feel a bit like a pickled condiment, but still). My arthritis was particularly severe (and widespread) because it started in childhood, with a condition called slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Essentially, the hips developed distortion as I grew; I adapted to my limited range of motion over the years, and ended up with severe limps, incredible pain, and worn joints in the back, knees etc. To give you some idea, I basically didn't drive a car for about 10 years because it was too painful.
After my surgery, I did everything--physical therapy, strength training, yoga. I did have some advantages: I was relatively young for hip replacement; I had already taken off the middle-aged paunch I'd developed; and not driving a car had kept me fit. Therapy etc all helped. But finally (at my therapist's recommendation), I went to a "real" Pilates teacher (not just the classes at the gym). I did a course of private lessons, which she required before attending mat classes, and have now been going to group classes for a few months. But I found I needed more than just her classes--I needed to practice at home. As it happens, I bought Siler's book some time earlier, but I really hadn't known what to do with it. I picked it up again and realized it was incredibly close to my teacher's routine. (Turns out, they went to the same school.) Using Siler's book as my home guide, I started practicing every day. Wow. It has been absolutely transformative--and not just my body. I FEEL better; I know my digestion is working better; AND I shed that pesky ten pounds I'd been meaning to lose for my "ideal" weight (6 ft,, 175 lbs).
I know, I'm making this sound like a miracle cure. And others could probably say that yoga can do the same. But I have found Piilates more clearly organized and focused, and therefore easier to get into and more targeted toward physical rehabilitation. So let me give some downside (for me): I find the exercise a real grind; I don't get a "runner's high"; and I kinda dread the daily routine, which leaves me feeling light but drained. I personally don't find Pilates "fun" (the founder was German and called it "contrology"--no offense to Germans, but enough said.) I do it because the effects are so startling.
So why am I giving this book 4 stars? Simple: in my experience, if you buy it to learn Pilates, you won't succeed. It is a supplement to a good teacher. But especially if you are recuperating from anything that has compromised your core--or if you just have middle-aged slouch--invest the time and bucks, find a good teacher in your area (they do exist), and THEN buy this great book. I am not trying to discourage you by saying this; quite the reverse. Pilates is ABSOLUTELY worth it. But it's one of those things that you just have to do right to get the real benefit, and you will be misled if you think this book, excellent as it is, will get you there on its own. If you really can't find a good local teacher, I would recommend doing some private classes at a distance, with the understanding that you want to learn enough to be able to do it on your own. Pilates IS worth it, and I think Siler is correct in claiming that it can be done at home; but it does require more dedication than just picking up a book.
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