Customer Reviews

Pilates for Men: The Total Solution for Strength, Flexibility and Power

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For men looking for books on the Pilates method, do not get fooled by this one. The exercises it are very loosely based in the Pilates method. Being a Pilates instructor, I am always seeing what is on the market in order to make recommendations to students in my classes on materials to use at home.

A Pilates book aimed at men is long over due . . . I was completely disappointed when I sat down and started reading this through. For the reviewer who was not seeing results he wanted in the Pilates method (six pac abs, big muscles, etc.), you have been miseducated on what to expect from doing it. So please, don't "dis" the Pilates method because you didn't see visible results. And, you were probably doing it wrong.

This exercise routine may work for some, but if you are new to Pilates, this is a far cry from the real thing. I would suggest doing a search on Amazon's search engine and getting the other Pilates for Men book that appears. It is far better.

I received this book as a Christmas gift from my daughter. I was skeptical at first that Pilates could help out a weekend softball player like myself. As a new years resolution I work out 3 times per week at home. Through the first 3 weeks of the year I have lost 10lbs via working out with IM=X and a new diet. It's a great workout and I don't have to worry about injuring my arm lifting heavy weights at the gym. Thanks to McNergney for this wonderful program.

On the recommendation of my personal trainer, I started learning IM=X Pilates to improve my golf game. Through regular IM=X Pilates workouts I have been able to improve my core strenght an increase my drives by about 30 feet.

I bought this book at the recommendation of my trainer to have it complement the traditional IM=X reformer classes that I take when I can't make it to the gym. It's great to use at home and when I travel on the road for work. I've taken "traditional" pilates classes at another gym but they don't challenge me like IM=X.

As a fitness leader I found this book full of ideas that men could use to spice up their workouts with a Pilates approach. This book could also be used by women who want to include an extra edge in their workouts too.

I would also recommend this book to other fitness leaders and personal trainers.

I highly recommend this book to any men out there who are looking to get in shape. Traditional Pilates was created for dancers as a rehabilitation program (which is not the general male population).

I read this book thoroughly, and McNergney has created a strong pilates based program called IM=X. After trying the exercise routines I find this program to be very powerful and has helped me improve my "core strength" (lower back trunk muscles and abs). If I tried the traditional pilates moves I would probably end up on the couch with a strained back because of the dancer moves.

By supplementing the IM=X Program with some cardio (biking) I am in the best shape I have been in a long time. I also no longer have lower back pain. Being in shape is not about how big your muscles are (anyone can take steroids illegally to get big). If you're looking to do a exercise routine that actually is helpful, this is it.

I got this for my husband. It's very nicely illustrated and shows you clearly what the position should like. She inludes goals; target msucles; and techniques information beginning in chapter 3 and onward. That being said, the other Pilates for Men book seems better. The following is the table of contents.

1 - Why Pilates Is Not Just for Women
2 - How to Use This Book
3 - Getting the Most from Your Workout
4 - Foundational Series (Ab Series Level 1)
5 - Stretch Series Level 1
6 - Ab Series Level 2
7 - Back Series Level 1
8 - Ab & Hip Series Level 1
9 - Back Series Level 2
10 - Ab & Hip Series Level 2
11 - Lateral Moves
12 - Spine Stabilizer Series
13 - Stretch Stabilizer Series
13 - Stretch Series Level 2
14 - Ab Series Level 3
15 - Back Series Level 3
16 - Maintain Your Motivation

Appenix I - The Pilates for Men Program
Appendix II - Making It More Challenging

I've tried Pilates, and frankly, was bored to death. But I had surgery on my right foot in early January of this year, and was on crutches and a walker, or in a wheelchair, as well as wearing a medical boot, for three months. I'd been doing mostly cardio before the surgery, and not strength training - so I was not prepared for how exhausting all of that would be. Using those things requires all your body strength. I need to have surgery on my left foot next fall, too. So I decided to get in shape for the next go-round. I've already started a strength training program, which is great. But I thought I'd try Pilates once more, since I'd heard it strenthens your core - which is super-important when using crutches. I checked this book out of my local library last night, and so far I'm already pretty impressed. I especially love the ab exercises that use weights. My current strength trainig program does that, too, and I think this is a very innovative approach. (I'm using "The Home Workout Bible" for my strength training. I'm a woman, but I think men's workouts are terrific, so I use them.) I'm planning to buy this book, and incorporate the exercises into my workouts. Somebody designing a Pilates program I LIKE? Thank you!

UPDATE, March 25, 2011: I did indeed buy the book, and the workouts are kickin' it! I can really feel it in my abs. I'd definitely recommend this if you need a good ab workout book. And ladies, don't be put off by the title. Anyone can use this. Try it out.

There are some Pilates programs out there that don't give you results. They are geriatric and wimpy. I have been a client of the IM=X Pilates method for a few years and tried it at a couple of gyms. I just noticed they started a franchise chain. IM=X is a superior workout that has proven to give me results. I purchased this book and can't wait to see how the new mens format works. The regular IM=X format kicks my butt.