Mari Winsor

Fitness expert Mari Winsor is widely credited with popularizing Pilates and making this once-obscure workout accessible to the public at-large.

In 1990, Mari opened her first Pilates studio in Los Angeles, and introduced her innovative signature workout, “dynamic sequencing,” based on techniques developed by Joseph Pilates. Soon after, the highly visible bodies of musicians, professional athletes, and celebrities began to flock to her studio to be shaped, toned, and strengthened.

Eager to learn as much as she possible could about Pilates, in 1992, Mari began studying with Romana Kryzanowska, who trained with Joseph Pilates and took over his New York studio upon his death. After one year of intense study, Mari earned her certification in the true technique of Joseph Pilates.

In 2003, Mari brought Pilates to a new level of public recognition when she released her first infomercial. The record-breaking success of the Winsor Pilates workout series and award-winning infomercials was unparalleled. Thirty videos later and over 50 million programs sold, Mari’s groundbreaking dynamic workouts helped millions of Americans get the body they wanted making Winsor Pilates a household name.

Mari co-authored three books: The Pilates Powerhouse; The Pilates Pregnancy: Maintaining Strength, Flexibility and Your Figure; and The Pilates Workout Journal: An Exercise Diary and Conditioning Guide. Her fitness expertise has been featured in countless magazines such as: Allure, Glamour, Fit Pregnancy, Health, InStyle, More, Redbook, Shape, Vogue, W, and Woman’s World.

As the owner of two Winsor Pilates studios, her celebrity clients included Drew Barrymore, Elizabeth Berkeley, Minnie Driver, Daisy Fuentes, Jasmine Guy, Jewel, Melanie Griffith, Meg Ryan, Sharon Stone, Marisa Tomei, Courtney Thorne-Smith and Dita Von Tees.

After her passing in 2020 Mari’s fitness legacy continues to inspire through her books, dvds and videos here on Pilatesology.