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The Pilates Body: The Ultimate At-Home Guide to Strengthening, Lengthening and Toning Your Body- Without Machines
The Pilates® method may be today's hottest exercise, but it has been endorsed by physicians for almost a century. Originally developed by Joseph H. Pilates to help strengthen and condition muscles, Pilates is the ultimate mind-body exercise for anyone who wants to tone, streamline, and realign their body without the bulked-up results of more conventional workout methods.
Now, in The Pilates® Body , author Brooke Siler--one of the most sought-after personal trainers in the country and owner of New York's top studio for Pilates training, a complete, easy-to follow program of Pilates exercises that can be done anywhere, anytime, and without machines.
With step-by-step instructions, Siler guides the reader through the complete circuit of mat exercises, each of which is clearly illustrated by photographs, line drawings, and unique visualization exercises. With Pilates you will not only streamline your figure--you will dramatically improve your posture, flexibility, and balance, and enhance your physical and emotional well-being. The Pilates Body shows you how.
Now, in The Pilates® Body , author Brooke Siler--one of the most sought-after personal trainers in the country and owner of New York's top studio for Pilates training, a complete, easy-to follow program of Pilates exercises that can be done anywhere, anytime, and without machines.
With step-by-step instructions, Siler guides the reader through the complete circuit of mat exercises, each of which is clearly illustrated by photographs, line drawings, and unique visualization exercises. With Pilates you will not only streamline your figure--you will dramatically improve your posture, flexibility, and balance, and enhance your physical and emotional well-being. The Pilates Body shows you how.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2000
77 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 14, 2017
This is a good book for beginners in pilates because it has:
a) Interesting and informative prologue about the underlying principles of pilates and matwork
b) Very detailed and in-depth description of each exercise highlighting what they are trying to achieve, do's and don't's etc.
That being said, it is clearly a beginner's book and I find that a later published book of the same writer, The Women's Health Big Book of Pilates: The Essential Guide to Total Body Fitness, is better for those starting from the bottom and working their way up to more advanced levels.
a) Interesting and informative prologue about the underlying principles of pilates and matwork
b) Very detailed and in-depth description of each exercise highlighting what they are trying to achieve, do's and don't's etc.
That being said, it is clearly a beginner's book and I find that a later published book of the same writer, The Women's Health Big Book of Pilates: The Essential Guide to Total Body Fitness, is better for those starting from the bottom and working their way up to more advanced levels.
November 28, 2017
This is the definitive guide to classical pilates as taught by Joseph Pilates. Brooke Siler learned pilates from Romana Kryzanowska, who was designated by Pilates to pass down his method. As a pilates student of over 17 years, I continue to refer back to this book for clear cues on the mat exercises. This book is so well used that the binding has fallen apart. I recently had the book rebound in a spiral binding.
December 30, 2021
Twenty one years later, this book is still pure gold. I love the background and history of Pilates himself and the creation of the exercises. I have not felt “right” since my abdominal surgery in February 2020, so I grabbed this off my bookshelf and am headed back to the mat. I love Brooke’s illustrations and thoughtful explanations of each move. It is also incredibly helpful to have them labeled by difficulty. This is the work I did before I got married, and I can tell you that four days in, my back pain is already alleviating. Highly recommend for anyone who is looking to feel better and who loves the idea of being able to workout while lying down. I did the entire modified beginner 7 mat exercises in 8 minutes today. Boom.
April 2, 2019
Watch out, guys. I'm gonna be so sexy after I pilates.
March 4, 2023
Recommended by my Pilates instructor for when I want to do at home matwork and have questions about the exercises. Helpful detailed descriptions and pictures. Appreciate its focus on doing things well, right, and slow rather than pushing yourself and getting injured.
July 25, 2018
Beginner's guide to mat Pilates
This book serves as a good beginner's guide to the basic mat Pilates as taught by the J.H.Pilates himself. And that is a very important thing to mention which I will explain in a bit more detail later on.
Brooke Siler is an incredible woman with a renowned name. She studied Pilates under the famous Romana Kryzanowska who was Pilates' disciple. She is an intelligent woman whom I admire greatly.
This book has a very good introduction to Pilates, with the basic rules and principles which is something that I always find as a good way to start a book on Pilates because people are not generally very familiar with the basic principles and the ones who are are usually glad to be reminded of them or simply appreciate it being mentioned because it is the core of everything people will learn later on.
'The Pilates Body' also contains wonderful pictures along with the informative text. This is another aspect of this book that I highly appreciate. Most people are visual beings and will only understand something if it is shown to them not just explained in words.
Now to return to what I mentioned when I started writing this review. Brooke Siler follows Pilates' teachings blindly, which I am not saying is a bad thing but even though that man was a genius in his own time, with the advanced science and an advanced world of sports and fitness some things have changed over time. I am a Pilates instructor myself and I have studied his teachings as well as the teachings of the first and second generation after him. With all of that knowledge and with the advanced medical research I have found that some things do not sit well with me regarding his teachings. For instance, hyper extension and flexion of the spine have proven to be more harmful than beneficial over time, neutral spine position is what we should aspire to in the exercises. Also, he was a man who dealt with his disciples one on one. Always. He changed the exercises for each individual to apply it to his needs and a wanting outcome. Most Pilates instructors do not have that luxury today. We work with a group of people and we can't concentrate all of our attention to just one. We deal with working busy stressed mothers and fathers who find Pilates classes to be a small step away from their busy lifestyles so we cannot force them to work exactly as Pilates instructed. Pilates was a very strict man who demanded from people to focus all of their energy and attention to Pilates classes. We need to make the exercises as safe and harmless as possible so even if the people do not go into them wholeheartedly at least they will not suffer any long term consequences.
And in the end I will add that I owe my overwhelming thanks and gratitude to Asja Petersen, a woman who knows of no limits, a woman with an amazing spirit and a sharp mind. She is one of the people who will lead Pilates into a new era.
"Pilates is the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit" (J.H. Pilates), so for everyone who is trying to get or stay healthy, to get or stay fit in body and mind and who is interested in seeing their body completely transform and flourish I urge you to try Pilates and give it the chance it deserves.
This book serves as a good beginner's guide to the basic mat Pilates as taught by the J.H.Pilates himself. And that is a very important thing to mention which I will explain in a bit more detail later on.
Brooke Siler is an incredible woman with a renowned name. She studied Pilates under the famous Romana Kryzanowska who was Pilates' disciple. She is an intelligent woman whom I admire greatly.
This book has a very good introduction to Pilates, with the basic rules and principles which is something that I always find as a good way to start a book on Pilates because people are not generally very familiar with the basic principles and the ones who are are usually glad to be reminded of them or simply appreciate it being mentioned because it is the core of everything people will learn later on.
'The Pilates Body' also contains wonderful pictures along with the informative text. This is another aspect of this book that I highly appreciate. Most people are visual beings and will only understand something if it is shown to them not just explained in words.
Now to return to what I mentioned when I started writing this review. Brooke Siler follows Pilates' teachings blindly, which I am not saying is a bad thing but even though that man was a genius in his own time, with the advanced science and an advanced world of sports and fitness some things have changed over time. I am a Pilates instructor myself and I have studied his teachings as well as the teachings of the first and second generation after him. With all of that knowledge and with the advanced medical research I have found that some things do not sit well with me regarding his teachings. For instance, hyper extension and flexion of the spine have proven to be more harmful than beneficial over time, neutral spine position is what we should aspire to in the exercises. Also, he was a man who dealt with his disciples one on one. Always. He changed the exercises for each individual to apply it to his needs and a wanting outcome. Most Pilates instructors do not have that luxury today. We work with a group of people and we can't concentrate all of our attention to just one. We deal with working busy stressed mothers and fathers who find Pilates classes to be a small step away from their busy lifestyles so we cannot force them to work exactly as Pilates instructed. Pilates was a very strict man who demanded from people to focus all of their energy and attention to Pilates classes. We need to make the exercises as safe and harmless as possible so even if the people do not go into them wholeheartedly at least they will not suffer any long term consequences.
And in the end I will add that I owe my overwhelming thanks and gratitude to Asja Petersen, a woman who knows of no limits, a woman with an amazing spirit and a sharp mind. She is one of the people who will lead Pilates into a new era.
"Pilates is the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit" (J.H. Pilates), so for everyone who is trying to get or stay healthy, to get or stay fit in body and mind and who is interested in seeing their body completely transform and flourish I urge you to try Pilates and give it the chance it deserves.
December 8, 2020
This book published in 2000 is still a good reference book for those doing Pilates. It starts with an excellent overview, detailing the philosophy and how the practice came into being. Pilates focuses on the deep inner muscles rather than superficial body muscles, the exercise producing a long lean, rather than a bulked up look, which is what many women want to achieve. The text explains body mindfulness, how Pilates reduces stress and fatigue and how visual images can be used to engage both the mind and the body.
The goal of Pilates is to heighten the efficiency of muscles by combining strength with graceful movements. The emphasis is on the quality of the movements rather than the quantity of practice that is completed. Many who workout expect soreness after exercising, but Siler explains that soreness is the result of lactic acid buildup, improper body stretching and the tearing of muscle. Pilates movements are gentle and focus on creating a strong core without the pain associated with conventional exercise. If you are doing the exercises and working your muscles precisely and efficiently than it is not necessary to do repetitive exercise, focus on “reps” and endure soreness.
There is a very informative section on working on the mat, the principles underlying this work and the key elements to master and achieve the most from what you do. The book then moves on describing and demonstrating several exercises, beginning at the novice level and moving on to a full program at the more advanced level. The author describes step-by step how to achieve each movement and a black and white photo of an expert performing the move accompanies the description. To help achieve the movement correctly, each exercise is followed by a section called “The Inside Scoop” which points out common pitfalls in trying to achieve the exercise properly and what to watch for to achieve the correct movement.
This handbook is helpful for those who have started practicing Pilates, however, I believe it is best to start with a Pilates instructor and a beginner course. Pilates focuses on very precise muscle movements and it is not always easy to monitor yourself to ensure you execute a move properly.
All in all, this is a helpful book which also includes a glossary of terms at the back. It is dated only by the appendix listing a number of certified Pilates instructors around the world.
The goal of Pilates is to heighten the efficiency of muscles by combining strength with graceful movements. The emphasis is on the quality of the movements rather than the quantity of practice that is completed. Many who workout expect soreness after exercising, but Siler explains that soreness is the result of lactic acid buildup, improper body stretching and the tearing of muscle. Pilates movements are gentle and focus on creating a strong core without the pain associated with conventional exercise. If you are doing the exercises and working your muscles precisely and efficiently than it is not necessary to do repetitive exercise, focus on “reps” and endure soreness.
There is a very informative section on working on the mat, the principles underlying this work and the key elements to master and achieve the most from what you do. The book then moves on describing and demonstrating several exercises, beginning at the novice level and moving on to a full program at the more advanced level. The author describes step-by step how to achieve each movement and a black and white photo of an expert performing the move accompanies the description. To help achieve the movement correctly, each exercise is followed by a section called “The Inside Scoop” which points out common pitfalls in trying to achieve the exercise properly and what to watch for to achieve the correct movement.
This handbook is helpful for those who have started practicing Pilates, however, I believe it is best to start with a Pilates instructor and a beginner course. Pilates focuses on very precise muscle movements and it is not always easy to monitor yourself to ensure you execute a move properly.
All in all, this is a helpful book which also includes a glossary of terms at the back. It is dated only by the appendix listing a number of certified Pilates instructors around the world.
May 25, 2018
This is a great way to develop your own at home Pilates routine with the authors help. She incorporates the basics and proves that we do not need machines or gyms to do Pilates. The mat routine here is healthy and easy to follow with suggestions everyone can follow. Well done
March 17, 2008
The only book I recommend for an at-home Pilates workout. Great pictures, description, cues and imagery. Now go do your 100!
December 22, 2024
Principles of Pilates with clear explanations and step-by-step instructions, making it easy for beginners to follow along. The book is filled with a variety of exercises that emphasise proper form and breathing techniques, which are crucial for maximising the benefits of Pilates. Also includes modifications for different skill levels, ensuring that everyone can find a routine that works for them.
never-quite-finished
August 24, 2020Treating this half-price bar again purchase as more of a reference book. Have looked at the photos and ready the first 25 pages but will be consulting as needed during the winter months when I will be more willing to spend time on indoor physical fitness. Right now I’d rather be outside :)
June 9, 2022
This book saved me! I haven't had access to a Pilates studio since COVid hit. All of my back and posture problems came back and wreaked havoc on me. Thank Goodness this book fell into my lap. I'm getting better, and more importantly, I am feeling better. 🙌🏻
October 17, 2022
I really value Brooke Siler's The Pilates Body. It is a wonderful overview of traditional mat Pilates that can be used by anyone at any level of health. (I am an overweight man with limited flexibility, but I really have benefitted from using the workout described in the book.)
If you are new to Pilates, start with this book. Follow the flow described in it. Do only the movements that make sense for you. Over time you will be able to add on the intermediate and advanced forms.
I know you will enjoy it and that you will learn much.
If you are new to Pilates, start with this book. Follow the flow described in it. Do only the movements that make sense for you. Over time you will be able to add on the intermediate and advanced forms.
I know you will enjoy it and that you will learn much.
November 15, 2017
Great history of pilates and the mindset behind the method.
July 27, 2019
Great pictures and really informative.
May 8, 2025
Great for my college Pilates class. Loved the illustrations in the corner of each page
June 9, 2018
The Pilates Body was quite useful for my purposes. As an advanced beginner student, I had already learned some basics from watching videos and developed my own 3-times per week routine. Brooke Siler’s thorough description of matwork principles helped me to develop and maintain correct focus during exercise. Her step-by-step and “inside scoop” instructions for each exercise insured that I was making correct movements to achieve the goal of each exercise.
Also, I was able to add 3 exercises to my routine to target areas that either had aches and pains or needed toning, plus a couple of additional optional arm exercises. The layout and illustrations for each exercise are complete and useful, despite the fact that 99.9% of users will never be as tall and thin as the models.
However, not all of the exercises are comfortable or even doable for someone of my age and abilities, at least without a personal trainer. So the exercise routines themselves aren’t very practical for beginners who might get discouraged when certain recommended exercises are too hard. The important thing, after all, is to exercise easily and consistently. Intermediate and advanced routines might be more practical for students of those levels.
Overall, I liked Siler’s clear descriptions and formatting, with plentiful bullet points, white space, and illustrations. I’m inspired to check out her videos and her larger volume, Women’s Health Big Book of Pilates.
Also, I was able to add 3 exercises to my routine to target areas that either had aches and pains or needed toning, plus a couple of additional optional arm exercises. The layout and illustrations for each exercise are complete and useful, despite the fact that 99.9% of users will never be as tall and thin as the models.
However, not all of the exercises are comfortable or even doable for someone of my age and abilities, at least without a personal trainer. So the exercise routines themselves aren’t very practical for beginners who might get discouraged when certain recommended exercises are too hard. The important thing, after all, is to exercise easily and consistently. Intermediate and advanced routines might be more practical for students of those levels.
Overall, I liked Siler’s clear descriptions and formatting, with plentiful bullet points, white space, and illustrations. I’m inspired to check out her videos and her larger volume, Women’s Health Big Book of Pilates.
July 21, 2012
I borrowed this book from the library to provide a practical resource for some Pilates work at home. It's definitely been a good resource for me. I would recommend it for anyone - but I believe it's advisable to undertake starting Pilates with a qualified instructor. I have used it as a tool to help me remember the sequence of mat exercises, and how to execute them - but I am also taking regular mat classes with a certified instructor in Romana's Pilates.
If you don't know much about Pilates, this is a more traditional approach, aligning itself directly through a lineage of instructors going back to Joseph Pilates himself. There is some discussion of the history of Pilates in this book, but it's mostly focused on showing you the progression of mat exercises, with detailed instructions on how to execute them. Again, I would caution that it's best to undertake Pilates work with an instructor to "spot" you - someone who can demonstrate the proper execution of the exercise, and then make adjustments to your body as you work on the exercise to ensure you're doing it correctly. As a companion guide to such a study, this is a really great resource.
If you don't know much about Pilates, this is a more traditional approach, aligning itself directly through a lineage of instructors going back to Joseph Pilates himself. There is some discussion of the history of Pilates in this book, but it's mostly focused on showing you the progression of mat exercises, with detailed instructions on how to execute them. Again, I would caution that it's best to undertake Pilates work with an instructor to "spot" you - someone who can demonstrate the proper execution of the exercise, and then make adjustments to your body as you work on the exercise to ensure you're doing it correctly. As a companion guide to such a study, this is a really great resource.
October 2, 2011
I used this book to introduce me to Pilates and I loved how detailed and well explained the instructions are. It includes a small introduction about the philosophy behind Pilates, which I found very useful, and then proceeds with a series of exercises for different levels (beginner/intermediate/advanced/very advanced). It also includes a "modified beginner" program of 7 exercises for the very beginning or for whenever you don't have much time. I followed that program for about a month and I immediately noticed the difference in my breathing and posture, even when I'm not exercising. Now I slowly add more and more exercises as I make progress. They are not simple, even though they seem so and it takes a lot of concentration to do them right, but I love how the book points out what the purpose of each exercise is, what to avoid and how to modify it if you cannot do it. It's definitely a doable program and a very useful guide/introduction to Pilates.
July 20, 2016
Brooke is classically trained, and kicks ass! Those of us who went through the Pilates Studio training spent up to 2 years of study, auditions, and internship just to get our original certifications. The practice is actually called Contrology, but so many people just called it Pilates (after Joe), that when his estate tried to get the name copyrighted, a very naive judge threw the case out of court, saying the name "Pilates" was as well known as "yoga" and therefore could not be copyrighted. From then on, Stott, Winsor, and other "Pilates" companies popped up, adding exercises that had nothing to do with Contrology. Also, gyms started certifying "Pilates instructors" over weekend seminars. Many "instructors" have never even used the Gratz equipment which is a necessary component to the Pilates mat (mat first, then equipment).
April 11, 2016
Wonderful book with very clear instructions and pictures that even a beginner can follow, but also offers advanced exercises for the more seasoned Pilates practitioner. I got this book when it came out, and still use it today. Although it's always advisable to begin Pilates with a coach, back in my small town there was no such thing, and I was able to learn everything from step one from this one book. (This was before YouTube had videos for everything). Years later when I was able to finally take a Pilates class with a trained instructor, she asked me where I had practiced it before, as I had very good form.
January 7, 2008
Great reference book. Logical layout, understandable language, specific and helpful imagery and tips, good pictures. Basic, intermediate, and advanced pilates mat choreography is included, along with a nice summary about Josef Pilates himself.
A no-nonsense book that achieves its intent: to explain proper alignment and outline basic mat exercises. Only 4 stars because I am saving the 5th for a book that takes pilates to the next level of body-mind centering. It also lacks more beginner exercises or ideas of how to adjust the exercises for beginner level.
A no-nonsense book that achieves its intent: to explain proper alignment and outline basic mat exercises. Only 4 stars because I am saving the 5th for a book that takes pilates to the next level of body-mind centering. It also lacks more beginner exercises or ideas of how to adjust the exercises for beginner level.
May 1, 2009
Picked this up in a clearance section, and thought it was so good that I would have bought copies for all of my fellow pilates friends.... this is a good book for intermediate pilates folk.
Simple, clear and well designed in terms of finding things to remind you of what to think about regarding certain exercises, and what to NOT do. I have been picking one exercise for each pilates mat class to work on.
Simple, clear and well designed in terms of finding things to remind you of what to think about regarding certain exercises, and what to NOT do. I have been picking one exercise for each pilates mat class to work on.
August 12, 2011
This book is great! It has detailed instructions, photos and visualization illustrations to help you hold each pose correctly. Each pose is labelled with it's difficulty level. And there are several different workout progressions from beginning levels -- as in you've never done it before and don't really have any abdominal strength yet -- to experienced. (Now I just need to start actually using this book...)
February 11, 2012
I love the simplicity of this book and find it very helpful for my home practice. I prefer doing Pilates at home in any case as I can go at my own speed and chose what I think will be best. I also enjoy reading about Joseph Pilates and how the Pilates method came about. It's especially relevant now as I am rehabilitating for real and I love an exercise program that taps into what really strengthens the body.
August 25, 2008
My sister gave this to me as a gift. I used to do more Pilates stuff just with warm-ups in technique classes, but I still think it's great, when done properly. This is a good primer if I'm rusty and need to get the technique down. Good illustrations of the technique. Fairly user friendly, although movement can be best taught if demonstrated.......
April 29, 2013
An informative and very well demonstrated book for introducing pilates mat work into your life. This was supplemental to my course, so having an instructor present to guide and critique your posture/form is essential. It's ludacris what folks are paying for high end gym memberships and personal trainers when you can buy a photo book and take a course at a junior college!
February 10, 2013
My first Pilates book ever! This book introduced me to the basic Pilates mat choreography with clear illustrations and excellent, unique descriptions of the movement. I still return to it constantly to refresh my personal practice and further understand this deep and powerful work. Can't say enough, a very good handbook.
January 1, 2008
It's good for an exercise book. Have to say I'm not that impressed with Pilates. It's derived mainly from yoga -- but yoga classes are a lot cheaper, as well as generally being equally concerned with the spirit as with toning the body.
March 1, 2008
really great photos of joseph pilates wearing strange diaper-looking shorts and interesting history of pilates and the genesis of joseph pilates methods. good illustrations of the typical pilates mat exercise sequence and written descriptions of the techniques for each movement.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews