Insider's Guide to Pilates

Our Favorite Pilates DVDs

Best for Beginners

More Than Mat Pilates: Beginner Level (57 minutes)
Learn the basics of Pilates breathing, postures, and flow with these creative moves. The soft cues may seem a little too relaxed for some, but a bonus "Cardio Flow" section picks up the pace (pilatesforyou.com, $14.95).

Best Upper-Body Sculpter

Pilates Body Band Challenge (30 minutes)
The DVD comes with a resistance band to provide a strengthening component for the arms, chest, and shoulders -- areas not often challenged in basic Pilates (gaiam.com, $20).

Best Fat-Burning Routine

Pick Your Level: Weight Loss Pilates (35 minutes)
Standing Pilates moves are mixed with mat work for a cardio/sculpting combo. Three variations are offered for each move, providing a challenge for all fitness levels (anchorbayentertainment.com, $14.98).

Best for Beating Back Pain

Classical Pilates Technique with Consideration of the Neck & Back (1 hour, 50 minutes)
Suffering from back problems? Ask your doctor about this workout, which provides gentle modifications that won't exacerbate your aches (classicalpilates.net, $19.95).

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, December 2006.