Since many of the exercises require no equipment, Pilates [1] is a great way to work out at home. But it's very important that you do the movements exactly right, so I often worry that beginners may not be getting the instruction they need at home. If you're new to Pilates, but prefer to work out in your living room, then Jennifer Kries' New Body Pilates [2] is a great place to start.

This DVD is a cross between a workout routine and an educational video. Before and during the basic mat workout, Kries — who, poor thing, is much cuter than this unflattering photo! — does a great job explaining both the fundamentals of Pilates and how to do each exercise. For details, .

One thing I really liked about New Body Pilates [3] is that Kries explains not only how to do each exercise but also why you need to do them this way. She goes into great detail about how to hold your back, your abs, and your chin and tells you why each move or position is important. As she helps the pupil in the video perfectly position herself, you get what feels like one-on-one instruction from an expert.

Interspersed with the explanations are the actual exercises, which are fairly low impact and probably take up only 60 or 70 percent of the 45-minute DVD. If you're at more of an intermediate level, this mat workout will feel too easy. But if you've never taken a Pilates class and want to try it at home, I highly recommend this primer as your first stop.