Accessories

Outstanding Pilates book!
As a beginner to the practice of Pilates, I found the Siler book indispensable--motivating, easy to use, geared to exercisers at all levels. A great buy.

The Best Pilates Book Out There
If you want to start a home Pilates program this book is the only one you should consider. It is well-written, with very detailed instructions and photos. I especially liked the bullet list of special tips included with each exercise and the categorization of the exercises into Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Very Advanced.

Excellent book--but use it as a supplement to a good teacher
I had bilateral hip replacements three years ago (at 52), and now people think I'm in my 40's and I get called "well-preserved" (which makes me feel a bit like a pickled condiment, but still). My arthritis was particularly severe (and widespread) because it started in childhood, with a condition called slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Essentially, the hips developed distortion as I grew; I adapted to my limited range of motion over the years, and ended up with severe limps, incredible pain, and worn joints in the back, knees etc. To give you some idea, I basically didn't drive a car for about 10 years because it was too painful.

After my surgery, I did everything--physical therapy, strength training, yoga. I did have some advantages: I was relatively young for hip replacement; I had already taken off the middle-aged paunch I'd developed; and not driving a car had kept me fit. Therapy etc all helped. But finally (at my therapist's recommendation), I went to a "real" Pilates teacher (not just the classes at the gym). I did a course of private lessons, which she required before attending mat classes, and have now been going to group classes for a few months. But I found I needed more than just her classes--I needed to practice at home. As it happens, I bought Siler's book some time earlier, but I really hadn't known what to do with it. I picked it up again and realized it was incredibly close to my teacher's routine. (Turns out, they went to the same school.) Using Siler's book as my home guide, I started practicing every day. Wow. It has been absolutely transformative--and not just my body. I FEEL better; I know my digestion is working better; AND I shed that pesky ten pounds I'd been meaning to lose for my "ideal" weight (6 ft,, 175 lbs).

I know, I'm making this sound like a miracle cure. And others could probably say that yoga can do the same. But I have found Piilates more clearly organized and focused, and therefore easier to get into and more targeted toward physical rehabilitation. So let me give some downside (for me): I find the exercise a real grind; I don't get a "runner's high"; and I kinda dread the daily routine, which leaves me feeling light but drained. I personally don't find Pilates "fun" (the founder was German and called it "contrology"--no offense to Germans, but enough said.) I do it because the effects are so startling.

So why am I giving this book 4 stars? Simple: in my experience, if you buy it to learn Pilates, you won't succeed. It is a supplement to a good teacher. But especially if you are recuperating from anything that has compromised your core--or if you just have middle-aged slouch--invest the time and bucks, find a good teacher in your area (they do exist), and THEN buy this great book. I am not trying to discourage you by saying this; quite the reverse. Pilates is ABSOLUTELY worth it. But it's one of those things that you just have to do right to get the real benefit, and you will be misled if you think this book, excellent as it is, will get you there on its own. If you really can't find a good local teacher, I would recommend doing some private classes at a distance, with the understanding that you want to learn enough to be able to do it on your own. Pilates IS worth it, and I think Siler is correct in claiming that it can be done at home; but it does require more dedication than just picking up a book.

Well explained
Even though this is a different style that I was trained in, I prefer this book to the Stott training manuals. Ms. Siler definitely writes for the novice or experienced Pilates trainee. This book contains tons of useful Pilates information. A good, easy access book with clear explanations.

Doug Setter
author of Stomach Flattening

Excellent book
The instructions in this book are clear and concise. Excellent for learning the exercises. Although, as the book states, there's no substitute for having a trainer, it's as close to having one as you can get.