Customer Reviews

Pilates Method of Body Conditioning: Introduction to the Core Exercises

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The information included in this book, along with the explanation of exercises, is an accurate representation of the Pilates method and can be used by those knowledgeable about the exercises from studio instruction by a certified Pilates instructor.

However, if you're wondering what all the fuss is about with Pilates, this is not the book to start with. I began my Pilates study a year ago in a local Pilates certification studio. I needed a *lot* of instruction and correction to my form before I felt ok doing matwork on my own at home.

I also needed a lot of cash to learn Pilates - and if I had it to do over again, I would rethink my path.

Expense of in-person training is the sole drawback of this excellent method of toning and strengthening. I hope that Pilates won't have to remain available only to privileged people who can afford specialized studio instruction.

Here's an alternative: try Jennifer Kries' "Precision Toning" video. This video provides an outline of basic Pilates work, with very precise and intelligent instruction, and costs less... Ms. Kries describes the basic Pilates movements, and a minimal expenditure will give you an idea if this is something you'd like to pursue further. I heartily recommend working with a certified trainer, if you've got the dough. But if you can't (or won't) spend upwards of $600, try this video.

And by the way, I hate exercise videos but feel passionate enough about Pilates to try to lend the benefit of my (expensive) education to others. I'm in my late 30's and struggling with what my friends and I delicately term "Booty Spread 2000". Pilates has helped keep me feeling strong, toned, and from needing a new, expanded-size office chair.

Also recommended is Mari Winsor's "Pilates Powerhouse" book. Again, it's not a substitute for visual and hands-on instruction, but each of my two picks outperforms Sean Gallagher's book. His book is dry, dull, and lacking warmth - but in fairness, it presents accurate information.

I had taken Pilates(R) lessons for quite some time before this book came out. I bought it more out of curiosity, and to show family and friends what Pilates is because it is hard to explain to the uninitiated. While the book is comprehensive, and does a good job explaining the exercises and the core theories of Pilates, it is no replacement for instruction with a qualified teacher. I have been taking lessons in Seattle from Atahsa Avery at Seattle Body Works, LLC. Having tried many teachers, I found that she is perfect for my learning style. Not all teachers are the same, but all are better than relying solely on the book. The potention reader should be cautionsly encouraged to explore the Pilates method through all avenues, not just the book. With that said, the book is a wonderful way to expand a congative understanding of the method. If you have questions and apprehensions before jumping in and buying the book, contact an instructor or studio near you. All good instructors, in my opinion, will take time to throughally explain the method and answer your questions. The book is helpful because in the back it contains a list of instructors certified by the Pilates Guild. However, the listings are already out of date. For instance, my instructor, Atasha Avery, is listed under Arizona, while she now operates a studio out of Seattle.

The pictures & descriptions are okay if you're beginning but if you want to learn more advanced exercises then you are forced to buy another book, probably by Gallagher as well. There are many other companies out there selling merchandise and books but they are not allowed to advertise themselves under the pilates name because Gallagher has copyrighted the name. Sorry, but I'm not willing to invest thousands into the equipment that he is pushing which is why I opted for the book in the first place. I have since learned that there are many other resources out there to learn the method from & I'm disappointed by the author's attempt to confine readers to his book and his products.

I believe that I have every pilates book published to date, including Mari Winsor's book. I have been following the pilates mat routine for a few years and have found this book to be the most complete. Mat exercises are explained in a clear concise manner and equipment exercises are also shown. The Pilates method of exercise is incomplete without providing information beyond the mat. No other book (that I have found) explains the equipment and the exercises that can be performed by using the various pilate tools. In addition, the authors provide alternatives for some of the equipment, for example- one may use a ball for the Magic Circle or pillows for the barrels. I do not believe that this book is merely a way to sell expensive exercise equipment as mentioned in another review.

I have wanted to learn pilates for a long time, and I was very disappointed in Gallagher's book.

The book is somewhat "cold" and does not present the mental/visual aspect of Pilates' system at all. Also, the "program" in the back progresses too quickly for the movements to be learned correctly, and nessecitates the purchase of thousands of dollars in equipment.

There was too much information to concentrate on for each exercise because I didn't have the background necessary to understand what was being said. I followed the book for a few days before I got so completely frustrated that I gave up, deciding that Pilates will always remain an elitest discipline because of the prohibitive cost of the equipment and personal lessons.

Then Brooke Siler's book "The Pilates Body" came along. She may make "acknowledgements" to Gallagher in the beginning, but their approaches could not be more different. She provides the background information, mental aspect and encouragement necessary to begin on your own. Her book also uses NO equipment, totally suitable for home users teaching themselves.

If you are looking for a reference book on Pilates, Gallagher's is fine, but if you actually want to learn Pilates, push back on your browser and find Siler's book, you'll save yourself money and frustration, (and get AWESOME ABS! -- yeah, I know why you're here...)

This book might help reinforce things learned in the studio, but is not a substitute for good instruction. It would be practically impossible to read this book and do the exercises correctly. Studying with a certified instructor is the best way to learn the method and avoid injury.

This book perpetuates the myth of not breaking a sweat. I am a beer drinking, meat eatin', cigar smoker (much like Joe Pilates was reputed to be) and I've managed to sweat a few decades of toxins out of my system during workouts.

I have been taking 2 hr. private Pilates classes weekly since August working toward becoming a Pilates Guild (TM) Certified Instructor. I guess I'm a "purist" and am convinced the original method and standard of training is the best way to go. Like it or not, there is no substitute for instruction by a properly certified instructor. Working on your own is certainly better than nothing, but there's no way you can achieve precision without hands on help. That's not a sales pitch for expensive equipment or classes. It's a statement of fact. One of the main principles of Pilates is precision to get the most benefit.

I have 8 Pilates books written in the US and in England, but the one I continually refer to is The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning. I like the fact that it is to the point and doesn't add needless verbage. It's clear and concise and is the only book I've seen that includes how to use equipment as well as mat work. Exercises on the equipment aren't essential, but I feel I gain a lot by working on it. The book also lists certified instructors, where to buy equipment, and certifying centers, as well as specialized routines for special needs.

By the way, recent litigation overturned the trademark and has declared Pilates to be a generic term, which means that anybody doing anything even remotely like Pilates can legally call it that and charge the same as someone properly certified. Also, some "certifications" consist of a seminar or 2 days of testing as opposed to 3 5-day seminars, 3 levels of testing, and a 600 hour apprenticeship. Which instructor would you rather have train you? BUYER (i. e. student) BEWARE! Ask 1) Is the instructor certified and 2) What did the certification process involve?

Good Luck!

I agree with the other reviewers that you can get a very well rounded program put together and you can feel marvelous afterwards. What you can't get from this book is the exact positioning, the feedback from someone watching you to make sure your shoulders don't slump and you have your knees bent correctly. You can only get that from one on one instruction and with Pilates that's the only way to truly get the real benefits. Just as everyone saids its costly. You may be able to supplement one on one with videos and the books. You might want to get a couple of lessons to get started so you understand body positioning and its importance, then get videos (someone mentioned Jennifer Kries and she is excellent I have most of her tapes) and then you might want to get a couple of books, this being one of them. I would periodically go and get Pilates instruction to make sure I am not developing any bad habits, etc.

Another reviewer mentioned a pet peeve of mine and that is the fact that our government allowed an individual to copy right the name Pilates. It's ridiculous and they weren't allowed to do that in Europe. There are some excellent tapes in Britain which can't be sold here because of the copy right issue and it's a shame. It's expensive because they have the market cornered and I don't like that at all, it's not fair competition. I have attended instruction with groups and one on one where they emphasize they are based on the teachings of Pilates which is how they get around the copy right issue. Look for those in your area and you'll find they are cheaper and doing the very same exercises but they have to call them something else.

Try this book you will definitely find it useful.

This book was incredibly helpful. The excercises were easy to follow. I have lost 22 lbs. and I feel so much better. I recommend this book to anyone interested in getting into shape without straining yourself. Obviously, some of the reviewers must be Pilates instructors who are being self-serving by trying to suggest that people need one-on-one instruction. I wish they would be honest in their review of this book.

I really like this book. I have several other books on pilates, and this one is my favorite. It covers matwork, reformer, barrels, wall, cadillac, chair, and circle work. Most other books only focus on one aspect, such as matwork. People have complained that this book talks too much about pilates equipment, but the truth is, pilates is based on using many types of equipment, and this book discusses exercises for each apparatus. Frankly, the book would be incomplete if it didn't discuss the equipment. This book contains excellent pictures and descriptions for each exercise, along with telling you which part of the body you are working and the benefits. If you want to have a full pilates experience (not just matwork), this book is the ticket!