Pilates for Dummies

By Ellie Herman

Book Overview

A user-friendly guide that teaches you the origins and philosophy of the Pilates method and helps you set realistic fitness goals and custom tailor a program

Once the secret fitness weapon of professional dancers, athletes, and movie stars, Pilates is sweeping the country and becoming more popular than ever. If half of what its many fans claim is true, then it's easy to see why. Combining elements of yoga, dance, gymnastics, and boxing, along with many original movements, Pilates exercises build muscle tone, improve flexibility and balance, lengthen the spine, increase body awareness, and repair past injuries. Most people who've done it, even for a short time, say they feel stronger and more energized, centered, and physically confident than ever before. They also like having the flat tummies, tight buns, and long lean thighs of a dancer.

Pilates For Dummies is your gentle introduction to the Pilates method without the high cost of private instruction. Packed with easy-to-follow exercises an plenty of photos, it helps you develop your own Pilates fitness program to do at home or in the gym and how to use eight basic Pilates principles to get the most out of your mat-based routines. With this practical guide by your side, you can:

Look and feel better than ever Get stronger, more flexible, in control, and less prone to injury Target and tone problem areas Tone and strengthen your abs, buns, thighs, and arms Repair chronic stress and sports injuries

Whether you're just starting out with Pilates or know a few exercises and want to learn more, the book covers:

Basic, intermediate, and advanced mat exercises How to use Pilates exercise equipment and accessories How to target specific areas of your body including the stomach, back, thighs, and chest Pilates for the pregnant and recently pregnant body How Pilates can help heal injuries and reform your posture The fun of combining Pilates with other forms of exercise, including yoga, swimming, aerobics, and more

Additionally, you'll learn simple ways to incorporate Pilates into your everyday life, changes you can expect to see from practicing Pilates, and questions to ask if you decide to join a Pilates studio or hire a Pilates instructor. Get your copy of Pilates For Dummies to start designing a Pilates fitness program just for you.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764553976
• ISBN13: 9780764553974
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Very informative

This series in general is extremely informative. Black and white, simple, straight forward, easy to follow

Pilates - a superb reference

I borrowed a copy of the book from my local library and liked it so much I bought it for myself and for my daughter-in-law. I attended a Pilates class and told my instructor that I had the book - she remarked that it is one of the best and recommended it to the whole class here at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The book gives excellent explanations. While the class gave me a sense of how a flowing routine will work, I can do it at home with the aid of the book. I recommend it highly. Thanks, A Pilates Dummy Fan

Great reference

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.

Pilates Made Easy

I bought this book expecting it to be like most self help books, worthless. I was wrong! This book did an excellent job of explaining the workouts. I liked that she gave hints to make certain excerizes easier on beginers. I was also suprised to see results so fast! I got the book to help me tone my abs and after a week I could see my tummy coming in and feel myself standing up straight as my posture also improved! I am going on 3 weeks of doing the 10 min abs work out that is at the end of chapter 6 and it is doing wonders! I love pilates and I love this book! I recommend it to anyone who wants to look good, but not bulky like all the muscle-heads at the gym!

The best Pilates book out there!

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!

Definitely the best -

Excellent book - clear directions and wonderful photos that show each exercise step by step. This is the Pilates book you've been waiting for!