Thigh and butt workout by Michael King and Yolande Green

Thigh and butt workout by Michael King and Yolande Green

This is a small book, part of a series called: Pilates Personal Trainer. As the title suggests, it describes a series of exercises that all focus on developing and shaping your thigh and... er... rear end. Can I say “ass”?

I find it somewhat ironic and arguably against the core tenants of Pilates, which – as the opening chapters explain – is a holistic exercise system for the health of your entire body.

I suppose some would say that it is not right to write and publish a book about Pilates that is dedicated to only one part of the body. Well, they did, no doubt because they know that there are many women who don't care about their overall health or posture but want a shapelier ass and thinner thighs.

The first forty pages are identical to the other books in the series. There are a few chapters that explain the basics of Pilates for people who are new to it. There are eight short chapters on the vital elements: concentration, breathing, centering, control, neutral spine, precision, and isolation.

The workout is divided into warm-up exercises, core elements and exercises that specifically target your thighs and butt.

The warm-up is similar, but not identical, to other warm-up exercises in the series: Swinging, Runner Stretch, Quad Stretch, Hamstring Stretch with Dynaband, Balance 1 and Balance 2.

Next: The Hundred, Control Balance, Swimming, Push-up, Side Kick, Side Raise, One-Leg Circle (Low), One-Leg Circle (High), Single-Leg Stretch, Hip Twist, Knee Circles, Side Scissors, Scissors, Supine Leg Pull, Leg-Lining Tilt Plank, Shoulder Bridge, Kneeling Side Kick, Double Leg Extension and The Can Can.

All exercises are well described and illustrated with photos.

In my view the two main obstacles are:

It is difficult to practice Pilates exercises most efficiently because they require mental focus that most of us are not used to applying to our body movements. Furthermore, without a teacher, it is difficult to know with certainty whether we are doing them accurately.

The second obstacle is that Pilates cannot overcome poor eating habits and large amounts of fat stored in your thighs and posterior. You may have developed great muscles in your thighs and butt, but no one can see them if they're all covered in pounds of extra fatty tissue.

This also applies to other places. Most guys have six-pack abs - but you can't see them because they're covered in fat.

Exercise is important and Pilates is great at developing well-rounded, balanced whole bodies.

But if you want your legs and ass to look less flabby, you need to both lose weight and exercise.

Inspired by Richard Stoker