Dance with Julianne: Cardio Ballroom

Hough is perfectly charismatic on camera, and though her lean dancer body may at first seem intimidating, in fact, Hough's approach is so down-to-earth and inclusive that even true beginners will feel comfortable and right at home. The moves revolve around several key ballroom styles, including the cha-cha and the jive. All the moves are chosen, Hough says, for their ability to raise the heart rate and burn calories--but also because dance moves create "a lean, sleek body--not chunky or awkwardly shaped." (And if one can get even halfway toward Hough's own sleek physique, that's plenty of inspiration right there.) The steps are very easy to follow, and Hough keeps the routines simple, stepping up the intensity with optional hops, squats, and spins. "If you feel awkward," she says, especially to beginners, "then you're doing it right." Each subsequent time of doing the workout becomes more fun, as the viewer/exerciser feels more like part of Hough's "troupe."

The 55-minute workout includes good warm-ups and stretches, will get your heart rate up, and will also work key areas like the hips and waist, which can become stiff in a sedentary lifestyle. Extras include a step-by-step "lesson" from Hough so the viewer can truly understand specific moves, and a very engaging interview with Hough on why she chose this workout: "You can do this with friends, and laugh at the same time," Hough says. "You can't really laugh while lifting weights." --A.T. Hurley