Pilates on the Ball: A Comprehensive Book and DVD Workout [With DVD]

I carefully poured over the reviews before selecting this book. I bought an exercise ball and I quickly got tired of the 30-minute DVD that came with it, so I wanted new challenges. This book delivers challenges for beginners, intermediate ball users, and the advanced. I am still on the beginner workout and haven't gotten tired of it yet. I like the idea that there are two more levels for me to move into, so I'm not worried about advancing too fast and "using up" the useful knowledge in this book. Each exercise is painstakingly explained in a standard format. It's very easy to learn the moves and follow along with the pictures. Then, the end of the book has 3 different workouts that use the exercises in different combinations. You can use the page number references to refer back to how to do an exercise if you forget. I've mastered about half of the beginner's workout and it's a terrific exercise every time. I'm going to buy some handweights to move on to the rest of the beginner workout. Many exercises have a basic and advanced version, so you can do the one you are comfortable with until you are ready to progress to a move that requires more skill at stability on the ball.

This book provides a great ball workout. Once you have mastered the basics it is very easy to add the new exercises to your workout. After you've mastered the program the back of the book provides a quick guide to each area of exercise. Very helpful.This is the one book I use for my ball workout.

This is a great book. It adapts Pilates exercises to the popular fitness ball. More than just a variation on the mat workout, it provides ball substitutions for many Reformer and other equipment exercises in the Pilates program. The instability provided by the ball really requires one to focus on balance and posture. Colleen Craig provides clear detailed instruction and photos on all aspects of each exercise including the difficult but important breathing timing. Her video is just as good as the book and assists with visualizing the exercises.

First, I must say that this is a beautiful book. Each exercise is described in text and with a sequence of pictures. Exquisite care was taken to layout these photographs in a practical and eye-pleasing fashion. The small drawings of muscles are quite instructive -- in the style of _Anatomy of Movement_. Generous margins are available for notes and comments.Coleen is clearly an expert in her field. She first describes the fundamental principles of Pilates, laying a foundation for transferring those principles to the Exercise Ball. The exercises are described in detail with pointers on how to perform them safely and effectively.My only complaints about the book are small. The book lacks an index. Given the meticulous editing/layout of the rest of the book, I fondly hope this gets addressed in a future revision. Also, the book doesn't mention the well-respected Exercise Ball body of work that Paul Chek has created. Whether or not the author endorses that work, it deserves at least a mention in the "Resources" section of the book.In any case, I think this is a landmark book -- and well-needed. Exercise balls are being massively marketed right now; there is a crucial need for instruction on how to use these devices safely and effectively. Providing these students with a well-grounded introduction to Pilates makes it all the better.

As a family doctor, I have always recommended Pilates exercises to my patients. It is a safe, effective and medically very logical exercise program.Colleen Craig has taken the Pilates system a big step further by utilizing the exercise ball. Her book has clear text, good photos, and helpful case histories to explain the techniques. It has everything needed to embark on an excellent exercise program.Highly recommended.J. Gibson M.D., C.C.F.P.