This DVD was created by Mary Helen Bowers, the former New York City Ballet dancer who trained Natalie Portman for "Black Swan." Credentials enough, right? Bowers now teaches her Ballet Beautiful method to private clients and through live streaming classes on her website Balletbeautiful.com. If you're a ballet beginner, this DVD will get you up to speed, but it's also challenging enough for intermediate dancers.
Photo 6/10
Abs
"Jillian Michaels Killer Abs," $14.98
If sit-ups make you miserable, but you want killer abs, this is going to be your new favorite workout. Somehow Jillian Michaels (of "The Biggest Loser" fame) has managed to find enough new and enticing abdominal exercises to fill three 30-minute segments without so much as one boring sit-up. In true Michaels' fashion, this video includes some semi-aggressive words of encouragement -- which might be just what you need.
Even though we never even considered boxing before, we love this workout. The DVD is hosted by Jaime "The Hurricane" Clampit, a four-time World Boxing Champion, and she's the kind of person who can scare you into working out -- even through your flat screen. At $39.99, this set is pricier than a DVD alone, but the pink and black boxing gloves it comes with make it worth it.
Pregnancy workout DVDs often reach an even more extreme level of cheese than regular workout DVDs. However, this duo by trainer Sara Haley is anything but hokey -- you won't find fake bellies and lame exercises here. Instead, there's a calendar to help guide you through three trimesters of working out, and six different kinds of fitness routines from hip-hop to stretching.
Photo 9/10
Post-pregnancy
"Tracy Anderson Method: Post-Pregnancy Workout," $14.98
Leave it to celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson (Gwyneth and Madonna's go-to gal) to create a DVD designed specifically to whip your body back into shape after having a baby. After all, a quick turnaround time is practically a requirement in Hollywood. Like all of Anderson's videos, this workout is a combination of mat exercises and cardio, it's easy to follow, and it goes quickly -- even though it's 47 minutes long. We also love that it's set to classical music.
To be a really great workout DVD, we think a few key requirements have to be met. First, there has to be fun music (none of that '80s, upbeat muzak stuff). Then, the models need to be good-looking -- but not so gorgeous that it's distracting. And finally, the routine has to kick our butts and give us results -- quickly.
Since hundreds of cheesy new fitness videos flood the market every year -- cue the techno beats and chirpy instructors -- choosing one can be daunting. That's why we sifted through the newest ones (fast-forwarding through the really terrible DVDs) and rounded up our favorites.
Here's what our picks all have in common: The instructions are easy to follow if you're a beginner, but the routines are engaging enough for even the most seasoned yogi or dancer. They're pretty and well produced, the music isn't annoying, and -- this one is huge -- you get a workout that's as good as going to a spendy class.
After all, isn't the whole point of using a workout DVD to save the money and time commitment required for a gym membership?
So get out of bed and pull on your yoga pants (or heck, workout nekkid, who'll be the wiser?) and try one of these DVD workouts. Sure, at first you may feel a little ridiculous dancing around your living room. But a few weeks, pounds, and inches later, your snooze button will have forgotten who you are.
