Ellie Herman's Pilates Props Workbook: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide (Dirty Everyday Slang) Paperback – August 23, 2004

I have been an exercise fanatic all my life and I have tried numerous fitness (HIIT, Circuit programs, NAVY SEAL fitness programs, Boxing aerobics, weight training, Yoga, and Pilates) programs. I am also into using various exercise tools such as dumbbells, rubber resistance bands, kettlebells, and the magic (fitness) ring).When I saw this 144 page soft cover book (Elle Herman’s Pilates Props Workbook) for a bargain price on Amazon I immediately purchased it. Since I was familiar with the use of various rubber expanders and the fitness circle which I have been using for years, I was pleasantly surprised how much great information this book contained.This is a fully illustrated book and covers a wide range of topics on how to use the many props of the Pilate workout system. This wonderful text is organized into three parts. Part one covers getting started including how to use this book. Part two deals with suggested workouts. The final part, which is the longest, focuses on all the exercises you can do using the roller, the exercise band, the magic circle and the small ball. The amount of exercises you can do using these props are absolutely amazing. I thought I knew most of the ways you can use the exercise band and the magic circle, but this book really opened my eyes to the many possibilities.Whether you are into Pilates or not, if you want to have a very practical reference source showing the use of many different pieces of exercise equipment, this book is for you.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Samurai Aerobics for fitness)

This is an excellent Pilates props book. I guess it's the best one, since it may be the only one.More importantly from my perspective with a chronic rotator cuff problem, it has the best exercises on the topic. Rotator cuff exercises are majorly boring. I never got the point of using therapeutic bands since I couldn't feel anything happening and the repetitions are tedious. I think that's the case with all the stabilizer muscles, except for those in the abdomen. You can't really tell when they're working, although you sure know when they aren't.Anyway, this book definitely has the best rotator cuff rehab exercises and some good variations with photos. There only are a few books on the topic or that show such exercises. Trust me that this one is the best, since I've dealt with the wretched problem for years and am starting to show more patient improvement now.;-)There also are very good back and knee and other exercises for recovering from joint or spine injuries, as well as for general fitness. I like the back stuff better than some of the books devoted to that topic, including a few that come from a yoga perspective.As usual, Amazon has the best prices and shipping policy. Ordered on a Thurs, arrived on Mon morning with standard, free shipping. Amazing!

I love adding props to my classes and wanted a few more ideas. The book is good just wish the list of exercises were larger - they are listed very small when grouped together for working a specific area. That’s the reason gave 4 stars and that it’s not in color.

I'm a certified pilates instructor (with a plethora of other fitness modality certifications). I bought this book as a little handy-dandy reference guide. I think it is exactly that. Most of the time there is more than one modification you can do for a client's deficits, some more effective and efficient than others, but it's easy to forget the ones you dont use often. This book works as a good refresher of those I don't use often, but may be beneficial to a client.

I've been doing equipment-based pilates (Cadillac, multi-chair, and gyrotonic) for months and needed something to help extend that studio-based physical therapy to work here at home and on the road. This is a GREAT book. Ellie begins with simple, easy to understand background, then gives you actual work-out sequences for every part of your body. I am starting out at "beginner" on everything, but it is good to know that I can "grow" with the program. Of primary importance: She is VERY safety conscious... pointing out how to avoid getting into trouble (ex: neck, back, shoulder strains). BEST INVESTMENT EVER!

The book is in a good condition

I never give reviews but am so in love with this book and my my new magic circle (bought seperately) that I was compelled to share. Her directions and pictures are easy to follow. She gives accessible and useful explanations of the pilates principles and applies them quite successfully to the props. A lot of the exercises are based on the original pilates mat exercises and can be done without the props, but I found the magic circle really added a new dimension to the floor work. I have mostly just spent time with the magic circle section so far, but am looking forward to trying some of the roller exercises next.

Excellent introduction covering basic Pilates stuff, alignment, prop usage and how to use the book. Fantastic break down of exercises for certain common issues (shoulders, back, knees, foot & ankle, neck & upper back). Then she gives you home workout programs based on your needs/goals. AND not only does she divide each prop into beginning, intermediate and advanced exercises, but also groups them into target areas - butt, abs, arms, etc. Any way you want to organize things..she's covered it. Cues are fantastic as always and her humor keeps it fun ("you will no longer have that dingle-dangle under your arm")