Pilates for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: You need this book!
Review: Excellent book - clear directions and wonderful photos that show each exercise step by step. This is the Pilates book you've been waiting for!

Rating:
Summary: Great reference
Review: I bought this book to help me get rid of my lower back pain. Since I've heard so much about the Pilates Method, I gave the instructions my very best shot. Honestly, I have no idea if the Pilates Method is effective against back pain because I couldn't figure out the instructions in this book. The pictures are black and white, and pretty small. The instructions were written as though the writer was speaking to you directly. This is great if she were actually speaking to me and could point out the particular muscles to be contracted or relaxed at any given point. However, she is not in my room coaching me along, and so it was difficult for me to figure out from the instructions which exactly I had to do. Each exercise had it's own set of breathing instructions and physical instructions, and it was difficult for me to try to follow both without any help. To make things even more complicated, the book is fairly long, and contains anything and everything you may want to know about the Pilates Method. Even though the author urges the impatient reader to forge ahead and skip chapters, this proves to be an impossibility, since she constantly refers to positions introduced in earlier chapters. It gets too confusing flipping back and forth! I returned this book two days after I bought it, and purchased a much more simple book with color pictures and easier instructions. Perhaps by avoiding the super-complicated directions like the ones presented in the "Pilates for Dummies" book I will actually be able to focus on getting rid of my back pain.

Rating:
Summary: Not really for dummies
Review: I bought this book to help me get rid of my lower back pain. Since I've heard so much about the Pilates Method, I gave the instructions my very best shot. Honestly, I have no idea if the Pilates Method is effective against back pain because I couldn't figure out the instructions in this book. The pictures are black and white, and pretty small. The instructions were written as though the writer was speaking to you directly. This is great if she were actually speaking to me and could point out the particular muscles to be contracted or relaxed at any given point. However, she is not in my room coaching me along, and so it was difficult for me to figure out from the instructions which exactly I had to do. Each exercise had it's own set of breathing instructions and physical instructions, and it was difficult for me to try to follow both without any help. To make things even more complicated, the book is fairly long, and contains anything and everything you may want to know about the Pilates Method. Even though the author urges the impatient reader to forge ahead and skip chapters, this proves to be an impossibility, since she constantly refers to positions introduced in earlier chapters. It gets too confusing flipping back and forth! I returned this book two days after I bought it, and purchased a much more simple book with color pictures and easier instructions. Perhaps by avoiding the super-complicated directions like the ones presented in the "Pilates for Dummies" book I will actually be able to focus on getting rid of my back pain.

Rating:
Summary: A good guide if you buy the Pilates hype
Review: I couldn't understand the instructions either, for the same
reason: You have to read the book while you're trying to
do the exercise. However, this ended up giving me a great workout: I was lying on my back for many minutes holding a "crunch", since I had to keep my neck raised up trying to read the book while I was supine on the mat. This may be a new Pilates exercise.

-Ilan Vardi

Rating:
Summary: Great reference
Review: I have been working out on a reformer for a month, and absolutely love the pilates workout. I was looking to get matwork materials to take on vacation, and am very happy with this book--it seems to provide a sound basis for the matwork. I also highly recommend Pilates for Dummies on video.

Rating:
Summary: Pilates Made Easy
Review: This book is great for everyone from beginners and those experienced in Pilates. Ellie describes each exercise extremely well and gives great tips so you can get the most out of your work out (and so you won't hurt yourself). Her step by step pictures are not found in any other book. She also gives great tips on using other pieces of equipment like the ball and roller. A must have for anyone interested in Pilates!

Rating:
Summary: A good guide if you buy the Pilates hype
Review: This is probably the best guide you can buy for Pilates. It is easy to understand and does not try to mystify or complicate the subject. It has good pictures and descriptions of exercises, most of which are good, but more than a few I think are really a strain on the back. I am not really enthusiastic about Pilates. I think basic callestenic exercises are just as effective if done mindfully and correctly. Nevertheless, if you are convinced that Pilates is magic and you want to purchase a guide this would be your best bet.