Jillian Michaels: One of my personal trainers.

Don’t have time to go to the gym? Feel like it’s too hot or cold or uncomfortable or whatever to exercise outdoors? Hate driving to the gym and wasting time finding parking? Don’t want to stick to a specific class schedule? Have a kid you don’t want to leave? Want some privacy when you exercise?

At-home fitness is the perfect option for you.

I’ve been working out at home for almost two decades. It’s my no-excuses solution to keep on a fitness regime. I have fit workouts into my life through many transitions.

From living at home with my parents to living in a dorm room. From having roommates to living alone in a studio apartment. From high school through graduate school, getting married and then pregnancy. And now, as the mother of a toddler. Even when traveling…

At-home fitness has made working out a daily habit for me.

There are lots of options for at-home workouts. I mainly follow fitness DVDs, but I also read fitness magazines and books for workout ideas. Recently, I have begun to use gaming systems to workout (Wii, Nintendo DS, and XBox).

I sometimes take my workout to the great outdoors (like running in my neighborhood), but usually I work out in the comfort of my own home.

I don’t have a home gym or cardio machines.

What I do have is a huge collection of fitness DVDs. I also have smaller workout equipment such as hand weights in various sizes, a yoga mat, and a balance ball.

Every Thursday, I’ll be discussing my experiences with at-home fitness and reviewing workout DVDs, fitness books, and exercise games.

For now, I’ll leave you with current favorites from my fitness DVD rotation. Last I checked, these are available on Amazon. Most are less than $10!

Bollywood Dance Blast with Hemalayaa

I love, love, love to dance! I literally took moves I learned from Instructor Hemalayaa to the dance floor at an Indian wedding. The DVD has two dancing workouts that offer light, feel-good cardio.

Lisa Rinna: Dance Body Beautiful

Did I mention I like to dance? In this video, Rinna leads you through a series of dance routines. Each routine is taught and then practiced at different paces. Although Rinna’s outfit is ridiculous, the workout is totally fun!

Jane Fonda’s Workout: Cardio Hoop with Kamala Mathis

This video can be purchased individually or with a hula hoop. You might read negative comments about this DVD on other sites. Generally, it’s because of the hula hoop and not the workout video itself. I already had a hoop, so I bought just the video. The workout itself doesn’t exactly elevate the heart rate that much, but it does get you moving. You get some toning benefits in the core, legs, and arms. Kamala Mathis offers terrific instruction on how to use the hoop and how to dance with it. (Hoop dancing! LOVE IT!) You also get some toning benefits in the core, legs, and arms. A sturdy hula hoop is required.

Marisa Tomei: Core & Curves

As of the original posting of this piece, this video was $3.49 on Amazon. Cheap! Key Son is the trainer in this video; Tomei is there for celebrity appeal (I guess?). There are three short toning workouts you can do in your bare feet. The workouts are core-focused, but it’s total body toning. The DVD comes with a toning band.

Jillian Michaels: 6 Week Six Pack

You’ll be wondering why Jillian Michaels hates you so much. Remember that pain is merely weakness leaving the body. The DVD has two workouts. You get a good burn and a great core workout with some cardio. Use of a hand weight is optional.

Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown

This is a non-spiritual yoga workout. Michaels is awkward as a yoga instructor. She’s not quite as graceful as more experienced yoga gurus. But, the workout is good. There’s two workouts on the DVD, and both offer a tough yoga workout. Basically, Michaels adds movement to traditional yoga poses for cardio and toning benefits. A yoga mat is suggested.

Shiva Rea: Daily Engery–Vinyasa Flow Yoga

There are seven twenty-minute yoga practices on this DVD. Practice is yoga speak for workout. (Know where I learned that? Yep…a workout DVD…) Shiva Rea is more “spiritual” and graceful than, say, Jillian Michaels. But, these yoga sessions are a challenge. They can also help with flexibility. Aaaahhhhhh… Yoga mat is required.

Ten Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fix Mix

I actually love most of the Ten Minute Solution videos. Each include five ten-minute workouts. Trainer Amy Bento leads you through kickboxing, yoga, aerobics, strength training, and a workout for the abs. Do one when you’re really short on time. Or mix and match to create longer workouts. Weights are required; a yoga match is optional.

Ten Minute Solution: Rapid Results Fat Burner

Cat Chiarelli leads five challenging 10-minute aerobic workouts. As with the other ten minute solution videos, you can mix and match or do each workout individually. No equipment required.

Do you have any questions about working out at home? What workout videos would you like reviewed? Comment below!