The Pilates Bible: The most comprehensive and accessible guide to Pilates ever
The Pilates Bible is the most authoritative and comprehensive book on Pilates matwork ever written and demonstrates why this hugely popular exercise has gone from cult status to an essential part of our modern lifestyle. Drawing on the latest medical research, the authors have updated old favourites as well as introduced many new. All can be performed with little or no equipment and The Pilates Bible allows you to progress safely at your own pace through Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. There are also special sections on Pilates for new mothers and children, people with problems such as osteoarthritis, back pain and knee injuries, as well as Pilates at the gym and the workplace, and for the performing arts and sport. This is truly the one-stop guide for Pilates novices as well as those hoping to consolidate what they already know.
Especially for the price at the moment: Get it.
A word of caution nevertheless: You have to do the work yourself, but if you are consistent it will be rewarding.
I'm completely new pilates and because I am pregnant didn't think I could jump into this yet, however, I can. I found a section of the book that's specifically for Antenatal (second-third trimester of pregnancy) and for postnatal time!
This book covers a lot of information. It is perfect for beginners to those more advanced. It makes everything easy to understand and has full color photographs and step-by-step of every technique mentioned.
Anything needed in addition to the book is mentioned such as a non-slipmat, plump pillow, stretch band or long scarf, and so forth. There are only a few techniques that would require a large exercise ball which honestly, I feel most already have like myself.
I like with this book I can go at my own pace starting for easy to more difficult. I feel those of all ages and steps of life can benefit from this book whether using it to get fit, for health, or for work and play. Highly recommended!
I recommend it!
- The fundamental of Pilates
- Exercises and workout routines for the beginners, intermediate, and more advanced practitioners.
- Studio and small portable Pilates equipment
- Pilates for Health, Work, and Play
Although this book is not replacing actual Pilates practices at classes / gyms, it provides a well written and illustrated introduction to Pilates which is great to use as reference materials.
Excellent service by PSBooks would use again
I attend a Body Control Pilates class.
The teacher is wonderful.
I can now follow up the exercises at home.
It's very clearly layed-out, the instructions are clear and concise but still include everything you need to know. It has section for different levels and even some exercises using a band, a ball or other equipment. At the end there's a separate (albeit short) section for pregnancy, etc and also recommendations on the best exercises for certain health conditions or for athletes doing different sports.
It's a brilliant book, one I will use for many years to come!
After a back injury, I started using my old pilates dvd but found that some of the exercises exacerbated my back problem and therefore I suffered a set-back to my recovery. My chiropractor advised that pilates dvds are not the best method to use following a back injury as they don't distinguish the exercises to avoid from the ones which are safe. They assume a certain level of fitness and health.
I wanted to ensure that I re-started pilates with appropriate exercises given the very poor condition of my back. This book is excellent because it gives a really thorough introduction to the techniques used in pilates, and it starts with some very simple exercises that allow the engagement of the core muscles in a way that does not risk further injury. The book is in full colour and gives easy to understand instructions, with colour photos of each stage of the exercise. The book progresses from the very simple exercises (the fundamentals) through to the beginners', intermediate and advanced exercises. It also has useful chapters on the use of small pilates equipment for the home, and on joint health with recommendations on specific exercises for each joint.
I would recommend that you start with the book to build up the strength of your back carefully, and then consider buying some of Lynn Robinson's dvds which are also excellent.
like the way it has different sections for different abilities -- easy to follow
The book is excellent as it sets out 3 levels (beginner, intermediate and advanced) in each chapter and then shows exercise plans for each level at the end of each chapter in 20, 40 and 40 minute exercise plans. The book is clear, concise and very clear. It also include chapters showing exercises for actual studio equipment, exercises using resistance band, circle, ball and free weights. It also contains pictures so that you can ensure your posture and positions are correct.
This is an excellent all around book which I use regularly and is well worth the money.
It sets out beginner, intermediate and advanced exercises by chapter, and at the end of each, it lists 20, 30 and 40 min exercise plans for each level using these exercises. Prsonally, I find this much better than showing a beginner pose, then intermediate, then advanced on sequential pages rather than chaptering. Very helpful and clear. The exercises themselves are laid out with 2 pages per exercises, extremely clear pictures showing the poses as you move through them and good detail, but not too much (the problem with the previous Complete Classic Pilates Method, although a good book for detail, but tiny writing and a nightmare if practicing at home). It then has chapters showing exercises for actual studio equipment (pointless for me personally but hey, still good), exercises using a resistance band, the circle, ball, free weights etc. It then has chapters listing helpful exercises for various aspects relating to health issues and to resolve work/sport issues. Interestingly, it take typical exercises such as squats and when using weight equipment at the gym, and points out how pilates can help ensure correct posture when doing these (all with pictures)
It's not a small book, over A4 size, and pages lay out flat.
I have the Alycea Ungaro and other Pilates books, but wish I had had this when I first developed an interest in pilates. This would be good for absolute beginners, 'long-term' beginners and those who have delved more deeply. It also points out common mistakes for each exercise. In an ideal world, I would have liked to have seen for each exercise the specific areas it targets, but as it states, each exercise targets multiple areas.
Truly a great book - it's strengths lie in the clarity of pictures and descriptions of each movement (spaced over 2 pages when opened flat)and its coverage of a number of areas. Although true pilates aficiandos may not be happy with this (not sure why, but have to cover myself), personally, I have to say this is definitely one of my better buys. I've found the Body Control pilates videos boring and this book has really helped me to revitalise my interest. I recommend this book for beginners and intermediate, and sure it would be of value to others. Also, a good price for what you are getting. The title of the book really does sum up what it covers. As I don't have a lot of other Body Control pilates books/DVDs (did I mention I found them boring/painfully detailed?) it doesn't appear to be covering a lot of previously well-trodden ground to me, so as you have probably gathered, I'm REALLY happy with this - so much so that I have no intention of buying another pilates book for the forseeable future. Normally a good sign. Highly recommend.