Pilates

Pilates
by Rael Isacowitz

Pilates
List Price: $19.95
Our Price: $9.99
You Save: $9.96 (50%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $7.75 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


or

Book Summary Information

Author: Rael Isacowitz
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-08-11
ISBN: 0736056238
Number of pages: 360
Publisher: Human Kinetics

Book Reviews of Pilates

Book Review: Perfect Pilates
Summary: 5 Stars

I very nearly bought this book for its cover, which is beautiful in its simplicity. But instead, I read the reviews, all the reviews. THEN I bought the book. And, when it arrived, I discovered that I had bought one of the most thorough books ever written, about any exercise, ever. I'm going to try to avoid talking about what other reviewers have already written.

First, this book is thorough. Very thorough. There are generally two types of exercise books: those that provide lots of pretty (or, manly) pictures but little explanation and those the provide endless explanation but few illustrations. This book, like those by Sue Luby (no, we don't know why Amazon doesn't carry her yoga and fitness books; they're excellent) falls neatly into the center: just enough photographs and just enough discussion. Even more critical is that, unlike almost every Pilates book I've seen, the author provides photos from various levels, including those from above, to show, for example, how far apart your feet should be in various positions and explains what and where you should direct your concentration.

The book is divided into twelve chapters. The first three, which are ABOUT Pilates (Enhancing the Mind and Body; Alignment, Posture, and Movement; and Powerful Pilates Practices) are not only informative but also deeply inspirational. If you don't feel like hitting the empty spot on the floor (assuming you have one; we're certainly running low on emptiness) and opening up every joint and muscle in your body, send the book back because you won't be happy with the rest. Chapters 4 through 11 detail exercises on various bit of equipment. Chapters 4 and 5 cover mat (chapter 4) and Reformer (chapter 5) routines. The next six chapters cover other pieces of equipment, ranging from the most expensive (chapter 6: Cadillac) through the Wunda Chair (chapter 7), Barrels (chapter 8), Ped-a-Pul (chapter 9), Arm Chair (chapter 10), and the magic circle (chapter 11). This division by equipment is quite useful. If you don't happen to have the Cadillac (or the several thousand dollars it's takes to buy one), just skip that chapter. I have found, however, that many exercises usually performed on more elaborate equipment can be modified using simpler equipment. For example, I am daily impressed with the extraordinary range of exercises you can do using a simple resistance ball.

Finally, Chapter 12, provides an excellent set of "Sample Exercise Routines" for mat, reformer, and cadillac, further organized by time and skill level. In this chapter, the photographs from various angles are used to greatest effect.

In sum, I think this is a perfect Pilates book. And I say this as a long-time addict of Moira Stott's various books and videos. I think just about everyone can get something out of it. It's certainly worth giving it a try.

Summary of Pilates

Strengthen, lengthen, and sculpt your muscles with the full range of Pilates exercises. In Pilates, world-renowned Pilates expert Rael Isacowitz shows you the same repertoire that he has used to train 10 Olympians, including U.S. figure skater Sasha Cohen and diver Wendy Williams, as well as an elite group of professional instructors who work with celebrities and athletes around the world.

Starting with the foundation for all the exercises, Pilates presents an in-depth treatment of mat work, including photo illustrations and detailed breathing instruction to help you perform the movements correctly. A unique set of challenging exercise sequences allows the movements to flow in one continuous motion.

Following mat work, where most books stop entirely, Pilates just gets going. The same depth of instruction and photo illustrations are applied to the full range of Pilates apparatus:

- Reformer

- Cadillac

- Step and ladder barrels

- Magic circle

- Wunda chair

- Ped-a-pul

- Arm chair

The complete repertoire includes a customized grouping of exercises in blocks that progress from the fundamental level through the intermediate and advanced levels to challenge you at all stages of Pilates development.

With 210 exercises in all, Pilates is the most comprehensive guide available on the Pilates method. A contemporary approach to the work of Joseph Pilates, this is the one book you need in order to improve posture, muscle tone, core strength, and flexibility.

Pilates Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Pilates Books
Pilates Protocols ImagePilates Protocols
by PhysicalMind Institute
Physical Mind Institute; PhysicalMind Institute; Published: 2005-07-01; Spiral-bound; Book
Best price: $60.00
Pilates for a Beautiful Body and Better Sex ImagePilates for a Beautiful Body and Better Sex
The Dezac Group Ltd; Published: 2004-06; Paperback; Book
Secrets of Pilates ImageSecrets of Pilates
by Sally Searle, Cathy Meeus, Cathy Meeus, Sally Searle
DK ADULT; Published: 2001-11-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.98
Price in other shops: $10.00
Powers Pilates: Stefanie Powers' Guide to Longevity and Well-being Through Pilates ImagePowers Pilates: Stefanie Powers' Guide to Longevity and Well-being Through Pilates
by Stefanie Powers
Fireside; Published: 2005-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.79
Price in other shops: $16.00
The elenpilatesTM Stockpile Textbook: Connecting Joe Pilates' exercises between technique and practice ImageThe elenpilatesTM Stockpile Textbook: Connecting Joe Pilates' exercises between technique and practice
by Elaine Dutton
iUniverse, Inc.; Published: 2004-05-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $16.75
Price in other shops: $17.95
Pontius Pilate ImagePontius Pilate
by Ann Wroe
Random House; Published: 2000-04-04; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.93
Price in other shops: $26.95
The BalleCore® Workout: Integrating Pilates, Hatha Yoga, and Ballet in an Innovative Exercise Routine for All Fitness Levels ImageThe BalleCore® Workout: Integrating Pilates, Hatha Yoga, and Ballet in an Innovative Exercise Routine for All Fitness Levels
by Molly Weeks
Ballantine Books; Published: 2005-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.72
Price in other shops: $17.95
The Complete Classic Pilates Method: Centre Yourself with this Step-by-Step Approach to Joseph Pilates' Original Matwork Programme ImageThe Complete Classic Pilates Method: Centre Yourself with this Step-by-Step Approach to Joseph Pilates' Original Matwork Programme
by Miranda Bass
Macmillan UK; Published: 2007-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $119.74
Through the Day With Pilates: The Morning Energise (Pilates Through the Day) ImageThrough the Day With Pilates: The Morning Energise (Pilates Through the Day)
by Lynne Robinson
Pan Macmillan; Published: 1999-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5,375.76
Pilates for Pregnancy ImagePilates for Pregnancy
by Lesley Ackland
HarperCollins; Paperback; Book
Similar Books and other products
Teaching pilates for postural faults, illness and injury: a practical guide, 1e ImageTeaching pilates for postural faults, illness and injury: a practical guide, 1e
by Jane Paterson RGN Adult Education Teacher Pilates Teacher and Teacher Trainer trained classical dancer
Butterworth-Heinemann; Published: 2008-12-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $26.23
Price in other shops: $43.95
Your Ultimate Pilates Body® Challenge: At the Gym, on the Mat, and on the Move ImageYour Ultimate Pilates Body® Challenge: At the Gym, on the Mat, and on the Move
by Brooke Siler
Three Rivers Press; Published: 2005-12-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.46
Price in other shops: $18.95
The Complete Book of Pilates for Men: The Lifetime Plan for Strength, Power & Peak Performance ImageThe Complete Book of Pilates for Men: The Lifetime Plan for Strength, Power & Peak Performance
by Daniel Lyon
Regan Books; Published: 2005-09-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.33
Price in other shops: $19.99
A Pilates' Primer : The Millennium Edition ImageA Pilates' Primer : The Millennium Edition
by Joseph Pilates, Judd Robbins
Presentation Dynamics; Published: 2000-02-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.07
Price in other shops: $15.95
Pilates' Return to Life Through Contrology ImagePilates' Return to Life Through Contrology
by Joseph H. Pilates, William Miller
Presentation Dynamics; Published: 1998-12-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $18.43
Price in other shops: $29.95
Rael Pilates 3 Pack ImageRael Pilates 3 Pack
Razor; Release date: 2005-04-12; DVD
Best price: $11.92
Price in other shops: $24.99
Ellie Herman's Pilates Props Workbook: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide ImageEllie Herman's Pilates Props Workbook: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide
by Ellie Herman
Ulysses Press; Published: 2004-08-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.00
Price in other shops: $15.95
Pilates: Body in Motion ImagePilates: Body in Motion
by Alycea Ungaro
DK ADULT; Published: 2002-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.48
Price in other shops: $15.00
The Pilates Body: The Ultimate At-Home Guide to Strengthening, Lengthening, and Toning Your Body--Without Machines ImageThe Pilates Body: The Ultimate At-Home Guide to Strengthening, Lengthening, and Toning Your Body--Without Machines
by Brooke Siler
Three Rivers Press; Published: 2000-01-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.25
Price in other shops: $18.95
Pilates Anatomy ImagePilates Anatomy
by Rael Isacowitz, Karen Clippinger
Human Kinetics; Human Kinetics; Published: 2011-03-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.69
Price in other shops: $19.95