Ellie Herman's Pilates Props Workbook: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide [Paperback]

Ellie Herman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 2004

AMPLIFY YOUR PILATES WORKOUT USING PROPS
Pilates gets even better when paired with these simple accessories. Pilates expert Ellie Herman shows how to intensify and enhance your matwork routine:

•The elastic exercise band increases resistance
•The ethafoam roller creates stability challenges
•The Magic Circle gives a great inner thigh workout

Each movement is explained with clear captions and easy-to-follow photo sequences. Special programs for strains, injuries and chronic problems are also featured. In addition to strengthening and toning your body, Pilates with props helps you:

•Build balance
•Release tension
•Alleviate pain
•Rehabilitate injuries

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Ulysses Press (August 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569754144
• ISBN-13: 978-1569754146
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Pilates

More About the Author

Ellie Herman is an internationally reknown Pilates instructor and author with twenty years of experience. She has authored eight Pilates books including; Pilates for Dummies, Pilates Props Workbook, Pilates Workbook on the Ball, and a series of five Pilates manuals covering all the major Pilates modalities: Pilates Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair and Pilates Springboard.
Based in the Bay Area for more than twenty years, Ellie founded Ellie Herman Studios in San Francisco (1992), Oakland (2000) and then relocated to New York, and opened her third studio in Brooklyn (2005). While overseeing these three studios, Ellie trained hundreds of Pilates Instructors, many of whom have gone on to open their own studios.
Ellie invented a piece of Pilates equipment called The Pilates Springboard, an inexpensive and space saving version of the Cadillac, manufactured and distributed by Balanced Body, Inc.
Ellie developed Walk-ilates, a system that uses Pilates-based exercises to correct faulty alignment and gait patterns.
Ellie has an MS in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really great exercise book, February 6, 2005

By 

Lucy the Bargain Hunter - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ellie Herman's Pilates Props Workbook: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide (Paperback)

Ellie Herman's Pilates Workbook on the Ball was such a good book that I had to get this book of hers too. I am very pleased with the exercises, and like having now the variety of Pilates exercises on the big ball (from the other book) as well as Pilates on the roller, magic circle, and thera-band, from this book. Everything is well laid out and explained. I highly recommend this book.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have For Pilates Enthusiasts And Teachers, December 27, 2005

By 

Yoni (Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ellie Herman's Pilates Props Workbook: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide (Paperback)

This book is excellent , it's probably my favorite pilates book I have.There's tons of exercises for the foam roller , elastic band, magic circle/small ball and a few exercises with a pinkie ball and even one exercise with a towel.The book is very comfortable to use because of its lay flat binding and the writing is concise and easy to follow along with the pictures.
There's also a "suggested workouts" chapter with programs for specific body parts(like :knee ,foot & ankle ,lower back) to help you rehabilitate in case you have injuries and want to strengthen those parts also there are full body programs for every prop and one multiprop workout using all the props together for a challenging and varied workout ,the programs are laid out as charts with small pictures so it's really easy to follow.
This book is the only extensive source I know for integrating props in Pilates , so it's worth buying.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book for Joint Injury Rehabiliation, June 25, 2007

By 

Earl Grey Rules (Midwest) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ellie Herman's Pilates Props Workbook: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide (Paperback)

This is an excellent Pilates props book. I guess it's the best one, since it may be the only one.

More importantly from my perspective with a chronic rotator cuff problem, it has the best exercises on the topic. Rotator cuff exercises are majorly boring. I never got the point of using therapeutic bands since I couldn't feel anything happening and the repetitions are tedious. I think that's the case with all the stabilizer muscles, except for those in the abdomen. You can't really tell when they're working, although you sure know when they aren't.

Anyway, this book definitely has the best rotator cuff rehab exercises and some good variations with photos. There only are a few books on the topic or that show such exercises. Trust me that this one is the best, since I've dealt with the wretched problem for years and am starting to show more patient improvement now.;-)

There also are very good back and knee and other exercises for recovering from joint or spine injuries, as well as for general fitness. I like the back stuff better than some of the books devoted to that topic, including a few that come from a yoga perspective.

As usual, Amazon has the best prices and shipping policy. Ordered on a Thurs, arrived on Mon morning with standard, free shipping. Amazing!