Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #357166 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

From Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

I use this every day
I really like this book. I had been doing Pilates matwork for about 18 months when I became pregnant. I didn't start using the book's routines until I was about 16 weeks pregnant, because before that time my regular Stott Intermediate Matwork video routine seemed fine. I really like the second trimester routine Mari has outlined -- although I don't do the entire routine because of time -- I skip some of the side-lying work and the rowing moves. I'm now 33 weeks pregnant and still doing the second trimester routine because it still feels good (although last week I dropped a couple of the moves that were beginning to get uncomfortable). I have no problems exercising while on my back -- and I have been told that as long as I don't feel dizzy or nauseated, that exercising on my back is fine. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to try Pilates during pregnancy, especially those women who already have at least a basic understanding of the moves.

Not realistic
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.

it's ok but not great
this book is an ok book but it takes an hour or more to do all the excrecizes. also it is seperated in to each trimester that's a good feature. but in both the second and third trimester it still has you doing excrcizes while lieing on your back. no way through each of my pregnancys my doctor has said don't lay on your back after the 1st trimester. other than that the book is good it get's you in shape and it dose help alot postpartum