The Pilates Pregnancy: Maintaining Strength, Flexibility, And Your Figure [Paperback]

Mari Winsor (Author), Mark Laska (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 6, 2001

A wonderful conditioning exercise for women of all shapes and sizes, Pilates is now recognized as one of the best overall exercises for the pregnant body as well. A low-impact and relaxing exercise regimen, Pilates doesn't divert blood flow from the growing fetus. As important, Pilates strengthens the abdominal muscles known as the "powerhouse," making it easier for new mothers to recover from childbirth and regain their pre-pregnancy waistline.Working with Dr. Uzzi Reiss, a prominent Los Angeles-based gynecologist and obstetrician, Mari Winsor has developed the first mat-based Pilates routine for pregnant women, bringing this time-efficient and highly effective means to get and stay in shape into the home. Illustrated with 100 black-and-white photographs, the exercises in The Pilates Pregnancy are gentle on the body and easy to do at any stage of pregnancy.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Pilates is an exceptional exercise technique for core strengthening, flexibility, and developing a lean, strong physique. But is it right for pregnancy? Yes, says Pilates trainer-to-the-stars Mari Winsor. Pilates is a safe way to reduce stress and increase comfort and balance during pregnancy. Additionally, Pilates will make your pregnancy and delivery easier, your recovery quicker, and it will benefit your baby by keeping blood circulating to the abdominal area, says obstetrician Uzzi Reiss, M.D., in the foreword.

Winsor explains Pilates concepts and techniques, with a focus on the pregnant body. Then she presents 22 to 39 exercises in each of three workouts, one for each trimester, that are most suitable for pregnant women. The exercises are described clearly and carefully in three stages--"prep" (getting in the correct position to begin), "ready" (techniques and cautions for doing the exercise correctly), and "action" (step-by-step instructions)--and are well illustrated with photos.

The Pilates Pregnancy is aimed at both novices and experienced exercisers, but since it's difficult to learn Pilates from scratch from a book, it will be most useful for the experienced Pilates exerciser who wants a safe home workout throughout her pregnancy. --Joan Price

About the Author

The Pilates trainer-to-the-stars, Mari Winsor owns and operates two Pilates studios in the Los Angeles area. She has been featured in Allure, Redbook, Elle, LA Magazine, Health & Fitness, USA Today, Fitness, Shape, In Style, Vogue, and Time and has appeared on MTV, "Access Hollywood," and "Entertainment Tonight." She is the author of The Pilates Workout Journal and The Pilates Powerhouse, for which she appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show. Mark Laska is a professional writer and publicist and co-author of The Pilates Powerhouse and Body-Fat Breakthru! He lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (November 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073820501X
• ISBN-13: 978-0738205014
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #345,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Pregnancy
  • #70 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Stretching
  • #72 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Pilates

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the best pilates pregnancy book out there, October 30, 2002

By 

Brooke (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pilates Pregnancy: Maintaining Strength, Flexibility, And Your Figure (Paperback)

As a Pilates instructor, I do not think this is the best book for pregnancy. There is no discussion about what is safe in each trimester, and I do not think there are enough modifications of the exercises to accommodate pregnancy (in fact, the only modified exercise is the hundreds for third trimester). Essentially, she gives the exact same exercises for each trimester and gives no information on how to modify them for an expanding belly, for safety, etc. A much better book is the Pilates Workbook for Pregnancy by King. If you already know Pilates then you dont need Winsor's book (very basic exercises that you will already know), and if you are not familiar with Pilates you should find a more detailed, safety-oriented book for your pregnancy.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for pregnant exercisers!, November 8, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pilates Pregnancy: Maintaining Strength, Flexibility, And Your Figure (Paperback)

This is a great book to help guide the pregnant exerciser in general, and especially if you are interested in pilates during pregnancy. It has three workout programs, one for each trimester. The book contains modifications for pregnant moms on the traditional movements, and even addresses the mom brand new to pilates. There are pictures and descriptions for each move, and also a brief explanation of the benefits. A bonus; the pictures for each exercise actually show a real pregnant woman, in different stages of pregnancy. This helps to show placement of the belly in relation to the rest of the body.
I would have liked for it to cover some reformer exercises, but it only covers matwork. In any case, it gives you good ideas for modifications that you could use with your machines too.
There is some repetition from her other book "The Pilates Powerhouse", but if you don't already have that book, no problem. Otherwise, there is enough new information to make this book work purchasing. Especially since it's the only book I've seen devoted to pilates for the pregnant woman.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not realistic, June 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pilates Pregnancy: Maintaining Strength, Flexibility, And Your Figure (Paperback)

I am long-time Pilates practitioner and bought the book out of curiousity when I became pregnant to see if there were any different ways of doing the traditional exercises. Windsor keeps the method "traditional" to a fault. There are not enough modifications shown. Also, too many of the exercises are done lying on one's back. This is just not realistic after a certain point in pregnancy. I felt lightheaded and dizzy from lack of oxygen lying down! I would have liked to see more sidelying exercises, magic circle routines or standing exercises. The forward of the book if well written and there is no doubt that Pilates can relieve many of the discomforts associated with pregnancy. It really can keep you in shape and help you regain your body after a baby. However, this book is only suitable for an experienced practitioner who knows how to safely modify the exercises. I would never recommend it to a novice. Rather I would steer them in the direction of a good yoga for pregnancy book or video.