The Pilates Bible: The Most Comprehensive and Accessible Guide to Pilates Ever

by Lynne Robinson, Lisa Bradshaw, Nathan Gardner

Lynne Robinson is the world's bestselling Pilates author and The Pilates Bible is the most authoritative and comprehensive book on Pilates to date. It presents the latest research, both medical and practical, and includes exercises with brand new modifications that take the reader from beginner level right through to advanced. Starting with the guiding principles and taking you through a natural progression of routines (including workouts of varying lengths with studio and home equipment to suit every occasion) the book also contains a health section with advice on Pilates for back pain and keen injuries along with both antenatal and postnatal exercises. With all this and more, this one-stop handbook shows why Pilates has gone from cult status to an essential part of our modern lifestyle.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Fitness, Health, Self Help

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2010

Reviews

[Melissa Majewski]

Offers three unique plans based on areas of concern.

[Jo]

This is a good reference book for mat Pilates. The sections on apparatus and small equipment are really not worth it.

It's well laid out with clear instructions, watch points and photographs.

This was published in 2010 and it felt like an older Pilates book. There are a few things I wouldn't do as a teacher but I know I was encouraged to do as a student many years ago.

I recommend this, alongside other books, as a good reference book for new mat teachers.

[Stef]

I didn’t learn much. I’ve been doing Pilates for years on YouTube. I guess those girls are doing a good job teaching me things.
The title is accurate - they definitely write like Joseph Pilates was a god. I didn’t like the advanced workout list. It annoyed me that the exercises didn’t have a page number with it. So it wasn’t easy to quickly navigate.

[Sue Burden]

Good introduction by a legend of the pilates world. An excellent aid if new to pilates or teacher training.

[Claire Neilson]

An excellent guide to pilates.

[Emily]

This is not classical pilates (which is fine, it's not advertised as such). I'm beginning to realize that I'm less interested in variations on classical pilates. I got this book mostly for the little chapter on pre- & post-natal pilates and well, it's just kegels & squats basically. Plus they recommend not working out your abs at all during pregnancy which is just a load of huey.

The bulk of the book is targeted towards beginners without any fitness whatsoever and the first half is all modifications and basic movements. They consider the Hundred to be part of the Intermediate work out groups, which in classical pilates is basically the first action in the series for all.

The book is well illustrated and photographed though so you do get a clear sense of what the exercise should look like.

[Sharon]

I am very impressed with this book. I have never tried Pilates before but I wanted to give it a go and so I ordered this book. It's easily set out so even beginners such as me can follow along. I love how it explains what to do and also shows clear photos to help. Chapter 6 is brilliant and so thoughtful to address common health issues and the best Pilates exercises to use to help alleviate the issues that can occur with the health issue. I am more than pleased with this book and would love to give it more than the max 5 stars that I am able to leave.

[G]

Interesting book, the only problem that I have with this book is that some movements are quite simple (to the point where it feels like there's no challenge of doing it) and on the other extreme: too advance for mediocre people.

[LadyS]

Some very effective moves

[Ethan Petuchowski]

Thorough with good descriptions and explanations

[Lauren RM]

Liked the descriptions and the history.