Avid exercisers all have their favorite at-home workouts, and nearly all of them can name at least one workout DVD they couldn’t live without. For a while, everyone had Abs of Steel, many Sweated with the Oldies, and now you rarely find a soul who hasn’t tried out P90X. What makes a good workout DVD? Is the instructor? The music? The body part worked? Whatever it is, everyone knows it when they’ve found it. Go into these hardcore gym rats’ DVD collection and you’ll see at least one case that is worn and weathered, and probably empty, since the DVD is in the player…

If you are looking for a new workout DVD to try, have grown tired of your current collection and need to mix it up a bit, or are just starting a fitness regimen, these DVDs are must haves (or at least ‘must tries’ since everyone is unique, and there is no one size fits all workout). Try them out, and see which one fits you.

5. Workout DVD number five on the “Must Have” list is a good, solid yoga DVD. Every workout needs a stretch, and experts agree that yoga is a total body experience. It not only stretches and strengthens your muscles, it focuses your mind, it allows oxygen to reach all areas of your body and has actually been proven to make you feel better. Knowing all this, no workout is complete without a little yoga. Use it as your cool down and stretch if nothing else. One of the best to try, whether you are a beginner or an advanced yogi, is Kristin McGee’s Power Yoga. It can be broken down into segments, and she always gives modifications for beginners, but it is definitely challenging enough for the more advanced student of yoga. It leaves you feeling longer and stronger, and of course, more refreshed and alert.

4. DVD number four is Core Fusion’s Pilates Plus, or any of the Core Fusion DVDs (there are four). Pilates is another great way to both build and lengthen your muscles. The Core Fusion series is a set of 50-minute DVDs that are broken down into 10-minute segments, perfect if you are pressed for time, and great for days when you have the space in your schedule for a longer workout. Core Fusion Pilates is unlike other Pilates workouts, so if you have found yourself bored with Pilates in the past, this might be a DVD for you to try. On the other hand, if you love Pilates, this might be a good way to shake up your workout.

3. DVD number three on the must have list is an abs workout. Everyone loves to work abdominals, and a DVD that offers several workouts in one is Cathe Friedrich’s ‘Ab Hits’. The DVD features an hour and forty-five minutes of abdominal workouts—in mini-sessions of six to ten minutes. There are premixes, or you can go chapter to chapter, or just start at minute one and go for as long as you desire. The workouts are all varied—some feature traditional crunches, other planks, other s super mans, and still others oblique twists and pelvic raises. Because of the length, you can mix it up every day and your abs will never get used to the workout—a problem which can lead to plateaus if you are not careful.

2. DVD number two is another Cathe Friedrich workout. If you have never done one of Cathe’s workouts, she is someone you need to get to know. The fitness guru has her own fitness empire, which she has been steadily building for two decades. Cathe is an inspiration to women everywhere, and her newest set of DVDs also feature men, as well, so everyone can participate. Her workouts use ‘real’ weights, rather than wimpy five or ten pound weights that other female instructors often utilize, and promote form over anything else. You will build muscle with Cathe. You will learn the proper form. You will finish each workout tired, and you will call her a few names during each session, without a doubt. The DVD that is in the number two slot is ‘Butts and Guts.’ The DVD focuses on the bottom half and even seasoned exercisers have trouble getting through it in one sitting. Her DVDs offer premixes or you can do the workout straight through.

1. And finally, in the number one slot, Cathe Friedrich’s newest series, ‘STS.’ STS stands for Shock Training System. It’s a series of 40 discs, each disc used once in a three-month rotation. You’ll do the first set, Endurance, for a month, then take a week off and begin Hypertrophy. After a month of hypertrophy (building muscle), you will take a week off and then begin the Strength phase. After this month, you can then just start all over again if you wish. By the end, you’ll be stronger and will see fabulous results. The beauty of the program is that you never do a DVD twice in that three-month time span, truly a shock for your system.

All of these DVDs can be purchased online, either at Amazon.com or Cathe.com. Good luck and enjoy your workout!