Five challenging 10-minute Pilates workouts, each one with a different focus. Suzanne Bowen instructs.

Intermediate exercisers — this one is definitely not for wimps! You had better be up on your Pilates moves, because you will find some surprising variations here. You will need a mat, and for the arms segment, a pair of light (1–3 lb.) dumbbells.

If you know anything about Pilates, you know that even with mat exercises, any worthwhile DVD will not be a "light" workout. That goes double for this one. Get ready for some uniquely challenging moves, some muscle burn and soreness the next day. Bowen starts things off with 10 minutes of core work that includes a variation on the Hundred that I've never seen before and a killer bicycle move. The more precisely you can perform the "Buns & Thighs" section, the better your results will be (that's why this DVD is for intermediates on up). Usually Pilates routines don't do all that much for the arms, but Bowen really works up a burn, and with nothing heavier than 3 pound dumbbells (to be honest, I actually had to pick up a pair of lighter weights for a few moves — something I never do!). The "Perfect Silhouette" segment uses Pilates and ballet-inspired moves to tone your whole body — this is another one where precision really counts. Don't consider the final stretch sequence a mere cool down; this is flexibility training at its best. Bowen is a wonderful instructor — good cueing, and she has come up with a very creative series of exercises. If you know your way around a Pilates mat, this is the one DVD this year you won't be able to live without!