Pilates for Every Body: Strengthen, Lengthen, and Tone-- With This Complete 3-Week Body Makeover

by Denise Austin

Stand a full inch taller, lose inches at your waist and thighs, and feel more energetic than ever-- in just 21 days!

Pilates sculpts and stretches every muscle in your body through a unique series of fluid, yogalike exercises, without stress or strain. It has emerged as the most effective way to flatten your stomach and abs. But Pilates does so much more. Many dancers and athletes use Pilates to condition their bodies, improve performance, and protect their joints. Now you can practice this form of exercise at home-- and enjoy lasting benefits.

In Pilates for Every Body , Denise Austin-- star of The Daily Workout , the number one fitness show in America-- leads you through a total Pilates-based conditioning program that will strengthen, lengthen, and tone your entire body.

* Select from Denise's versatile, progressive workouts, from beginner to advanced.
* If you're short on time, choose from quick-and-easy routines of 10 minutes or less for the abs, hips, thighs, butt, legs, back, and upper body.
* You'll discover not just Pilates routines but a total body makeover plan-- cardio exercise, positive-thinking techniques, practical meals and menus, inspiring quotes, and more.

You'll find everything you need in one step-by-step plan!

Genres: Nonfiction, Fitness, Health, Self Help

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 2002

About the author

A native of San Pedro, California, Denise started gymnastics at the age of 12 and earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona, graduating in 1979 with an exercise physiology degree. She began her career teaching aerobic exercise classes in the Los Angeles area and went on to cohost the The Jack LaLanne Show, in 1981. (Denise considers Jack LaLanne one of her role models, and she is delighted to still speak regularly with the 94-year-old fitness legend.)

During more than 25 years promoting health and fitness, Denise has created 82 workout videos or DVDs. Her enormous number of sales led to her 2003 induction into the Video Hall of Fame.

Denise has been married for 25 years to Jeff Austin, a sports attorney and brother of tennis champ Tracy Austin. They share a home with their two teenage daughters, Kelly and Katie.

Connect with her on:
Facebook

Follow:
@DeniseAustin_ on Twitter

Reviews

[Grace Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've owned this book for years, and refer to it again and again. It taught me how to meal plan, introduced me to interval training, and weirdly, began my love affair with yoga. My foundational fitness book.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

very poor selection of suggested pilates moves for senior's body

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great exercises! I love Denise Austin's workouts.

[Kimmay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read & refer back to certain exercises, Good routines. Illustrated well. Various levels for beginners to advanced. Solid routines. Nutrional data in there as well, although i don't totally agree with all of her meal plans, I am sure they are good for some people. She seems to have too many snacky things in there that i don't eat on a regular basis, like pretzels & pudding, it would be easy to substitute something else in there instead so the meal plans may not fit everyone. Her basic info is great though. I have read this book more than once and refer back to it often for alternate exercises to add in my routines.

[Wendi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always loved Denise Austin. She is not only very knowledgable but also very inspiring. Her inspiring voice comes through in her writing. The first half of this book is wonderful and had me ready to get started and hit the ground running. The 2nd half of the book is full of diagrams and list of the best way to accomplish the poses and order to do them for a complete sequence. There are several different workouts that you move through at different levels. The only complaint I had with this is that it was difficult to flow from one pose to another when I was having to stop and look at the book between each pose. Of course this would have been a problem with any work out book.

[Ashley EmDash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very good look at several aspects of Pilates but it does go into some other types of exercise including Yoga and ball/band which can be distracting to someone who wants a purely Pilates book. It is a very good volume though if you already have a firm foundation in Pilates and want a book to take with you when traveling or to help you set up your own rotation of exercises to do throughout a week.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having done Pilates after my first child was born, I wanted something that could help me get back into it at home after having my second child. I like Denise Austin's plan, but she is just too much for me to watch on a workout video. Hoping with the book, I won't get that same urge to quick just so I don't have to listen to her anymore.

[Tina Quinlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some great exercises. Once I started trying them, I just kept turning the page to try the next one. Really got me motivated. I usually try different exercise DVD's from the library, but this was the first book I tried, just for some variety. I definitely recommend it.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good introduction to pilates and core strength. The book is divided into specific target areas and has an eating plan in the back.

[Jill McClennen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have some background with Pilates, the book is a good refresher, but I suggest taking a class in order to learn how to do the moves properly before trying to follow the book.

[Katterley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these exercises and am not psyched out by not knowing Pilates before I started. Love her shows, love her books.

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Total Body Workout!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the Pilates pointers and the highlighted muscles for each exercise helpful.