Science of Pilates: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Perfect Your Practice (The Science of Fitness)

This book is absolutely beautiful and so well done! The visuals are stunning — every movement and muscle group is explained with clear anatomical illustrations that really help you understand what’s happening in your body during each exercise. I love how it combines science with practical Pilates knowledge — it’s not just theory. It actually helps you feel and perform the movements better. The explanations are detailed but still easy to follow, even if you’re not an anatomy expert. I’ve been doing Pilates for a while, and this book has helped me correct my form and understand why certain cues matter so much. It’s perfect for instructors, students, or anyone who wants to go deeper into their practice. The quality of the printing and the paper is excellent too — definitely feels like great value for the price. I highly recommend it!

Great photos and well descripted poses/exercises. Never imagined I could get a real workout with this. I find myself just as sore as if I had gone to the gym and lifted weights. The key is in the flex and holding the movements. You can get a full workout at home. I strongly suggest using a thick mat. I have challenged my fit kids to try some poses and they couldn't even bend their bodies in some of the moves! They cracked on me and told me it wasn't really working out until they got on the floor next to me and assumed the pose! Superior for strengthening your core.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves details and wants to truly understand what happens inside the body during Pilates. The book clearly explains which muscles are working, why each movement is done a certain way, and where and how it’s supposed to feel. What I really appreciate is how it goes beyond theory — it also covers the benefits of each exercise, who should avoid certain movements, and offers variations of classic exercises to suit different levels. There are also specific exercise plans tailored for different needs, such as for runners, swimmers, people with certain injuries, pre- and postnatal clients, etc. It’s an insightful, well-structured, and comprehensive guide that helps you understand the why behind every move in Pilates. Perfect for instructors, practitioners, or anyone who wants to practice more consciously and effectively.

This gave a short history lesson on the creation of pilates and how it has integrated into modern excercise. It gives nice detail on specific pilates excercises and the muscles groups involved. It also gives workouts from beginner to advanced as well as for specific activities, such as; Pilates for running, strength training etc. If you enjoy learning about the how's & why's to better understand or enhance your practice, or if you are just starting out I reccomend this book. Truly a great addition to my library!

I'm getting my pilates certification. This has been super helpful, particularly with supplemental information and pre pilates moves.

The book covers only mat exercises. I enjoyed the pictures but did not get a lot out of the book. Certainly good for beginners but may not so good for someone with an advanced practice. Would be a good reference book for an instructor.

Beautiful book full of colorfully detailed drawings and very real technical knowledge that is clear, concise, and most helpful. I would recommend this book to ANYONE who wants a better understanding of the anatomy and physiology of Pilates. It offers the very practical full-body education that you never received in neither science nor gym class. I an very pleased!

One of a handful of books that are truly useful for pilates practitioners. Particularly useful are the variations of exercises she provides. No matter whether you're healthy or injured, a novice or expert, this is a good book to refer to.

Very informative and well laid out. L9ve it

Good info

Really informative

Great for stott pilates

I've been teaching pilates and yoga for over 30 years and this book has definitely added to my skills and repetoire. It might not be the best way to teach yourself but for teachers or people with class experience looking to develop a home practice it is perfect - especially if you use the recommended routines to develop your practice. All the mat pilates exercises are covered with progressions and modifications and, unlike many other books, explanations of the benfits of each exercise so you can buid balanced routines. Exercises are grouped into sections of stability, rotatory, strength and mobility making it easy to select a balanced range of exercises. There are a range of programmes at the end (3 beginners which can be mixed and matched, 5 intermediate and 5 advanced) and lots of other specific programmes for sports, specific health issues, back problems. The background sections are really useful without being too long and tedious and include a couple of pages on advances in anatomical research which explain why we teach differently now compared to the original 60s exercises. An introduction to muscle slings which although short and basic is enough for understanding where pain and tension can originate from and might inspire you to learn more about this area. Then sections on how pilates helps with pain, stress and aniety - great for your sales technique.