There's something truly motivational about celebrity fitness guru Kristin McGee. Her energy is infections -- you can't help but want to work out when she's around (which probably explains why celebs like Tina Fey, LeAnn Rimes, and Bethenny Frankel all train with her). She already has a dozen yoga and Pilates DVDs to her credit, but her latest one -- which just launched in September -- is her best yet.
The DVD is broken down into three 25-minute workouts: yoga with weights, Pilates, and yoga flow. Plus, there's a bonus five minutes of cardio. We recommend mixing up the order and combination each day to keep from getting bored.
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Yoga
"PranaVayu Yoga with David Magone," $9.95
This downloadable yoga video is a full 70 minutes -- and it's as close as you can get to taking a real class with PranaVayu developer David Magone without a trip to Boston (where he's based). Unlike traditional Vinyasa yoga, PranaVayu incorporates Buddhist meditation techniques to elevate your practice. But don't worry; it's not hokey, new-agey BS. The instruction is simple, and the music is upbeat enough to keep the flow going. Plus, it also doesn't hurt that Magone is hot.
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Dance
"Dance with Julianne," $19.98
Triple threat Julianne Hough (she's a ballroom dancer, country singer, and actress) can now add fitness video guru to her resume. While her "Dance with Julianne" series of DVDs isn't the most sophisticated workout we've ever tried, it's definitely fun. And there's something truly captivating about Hough's bubbly personality. She's also wearing a crop top and tiny shorts throughout the video -- and if her fit physique doesn't motivate you, nothing will.
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Ballet
"Ballet Beautiful: Total Body Workout," $14.98
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.
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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.
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.
