Ellie Herman's Pilates Reformer, Third Edition Paperback – June 1, 2007

I LOVE my LeisureKing reformer! The color is pretty and it's so nice to have the reformer in my home. I am 5’6” and was worried about the length. It is long enough and can be adjusted for your height. I can use it at my convenience and not have to dash out the door to attend a class...which isn't cheap! This reformer is smooth, easy to put together, and is well worth the money. In the long run the savings will be well worth it. I was attending Pilates classes 4 times a week, so this reformer will pay for itself within a couple of months.

Great manual for Classic instruction.

Yes, it's hideously expensive, but I think the pages from 12 to 27 alone justify the price. They might be subtitled: "How Not to Cripple or Kill Yourself on the Reformer." Pages 12-13 cover the "Eight Principles of Pilates" and Ellie adds her own called "Body Awareness." Pages 14-19 include excellently described and photographed "Pilates Alphabet," in other words, the basic positions from which you generally move to or return from other exercises. Pages 20 - 21 cover "General Movement Vocabulary," again, excellently described and photographed. Pages 22 - 23 cover the famous "Neutral Spine, Neutral Pelvis," which are so critical to Pilates and, in fact, nearly all exercises, including things you'd think wouldn't relates to Pilates at all, like arm presses from a weight bench. and pages 24 to 27 cover what I have called "how not to cripple or kill yourself" on the Reformer. Here she covers "Spinal Flexion" and "Spinal Extension," each section including discusions about "General Contraindications," "Disc Dysfunction," and "Caution."Because absolute precision of movement is so critically important in Pilates exercises (no "good enough for the weight room" here), these pages should be in every book, CD, or DVD ever published on anything even remotely concerning Pilates. For instructors, she also includes a brief description on "Assisting People." Surprisingly, that's where she has put some critical information on "teaching prone back extension exercises to folks with weak abdominals, glutes, and hamstrings." This one paragraph should be printed in large letters anywhere there's a Reformer available to the public. Now I know why health clubs don't leave Reformers out in the open. Although, come to think of it, you could do the same amount of damage with, say, a leg press sled. "Oh, I can do 250," I told my trainer one day. "Put on another ten." BUT can you walk the next day is the question.The rest of the book is, as described by other reviewers, absolutely excellent. I think the highest compliment is to say, "It's actually worth its outrageous price." I'm glad I bought it.

I bought this book after I had already read through it several times, I checked it out at the Library and then borrowed it from a friend of mine, this was over the course of a year and finally I decided this was worth the money to own, but $70 is a lot to fork out for a book, but believe me when I say it was worth every penny,this book has helped me tremendously not only for teaching my clients but for myself. I have one other Reformer book which came with my cert. and it is great, but this one really does have a lot more in depth exercises. If you are an instructor or just practicing on your own, this book will be very helpful.

I purchased an Aero Pilates Machine from Amazon (the $499 model). I love the machine but I wasn't sure about some of the settings and body positions after watching the DVD. This book was just what I needed and cost less than the cost of a private class. The author explains the settings of the risers for each exercise and the photos and instructions are clear. I also like that she includes at the end of the book exercise sequences for each level of student. I highly recommend this book.Stamina AeroPilates Reformer with Free-Form Cardio Rebounder

I just bought a reformer and was looking for a book that would give clear directions for use. This definitely was a perfect fit for my needs. I especially like that in the back she has the exercises lined up in a series for each skill level. It’s helped me to develop a routine.

Very comprehensively set out and clearly explained.This book is beneficial to all Pilates instructors as it details all aspects of performing reformer exercises and explains which muscle groups are targeted.Great teaching tool.

I have researched many other Pilates manuals, and this one gives by far the best information. Most manuals are just superficial and sloppy. Which is strange because the Pilates Method is exactly the opposite. The only reason for that I can think of is that it is a LOT of work to put all the information into a manual like this one. Thanks Ellie,for taking the time! We Pilates teachers around the country and world thank you!