Rodale

Time is every woman’s most precious commodity—and a lack of it is the number one reason, in survey after survey, that women give for why they don’t exercise. But research now shows that as little as 15 minutes of resistance training is just as effective in spiking one’s metabolism as a workout lasting more than twice as long. All it takes is 15 minutes to achieve lifelong results—and women are more likely to stick to an exercise plan if it’s chopped down to those 15 minutes.

The Women’s Health Big Book of 15-Minute Workouts is both an introduction to the fundamentals of short workouts and a comprehensive collection of hundreds of the most effective ones. These workouts have been designed for every fitness goal, from total body conditioning to targeting trouble spots with exercises like the 15 Minute Flat-Belly-without-a-Single-Crunch Workout. Other highlights include:

-an eating plan with delicious meals that take 15 minutes or less to prepare
-workouts for when you’re stuck in traffic or traveling and can’t make it to the gym
-hundreds of tips from America’s best trainers, nutritionists, and exercise scientists

SELENE YEAGER is a top-selling author, certified personal trainer, and all-American Ironman triathlete. She lives in Lehigh Valley, PA.