Synopses & Reviews
The
New York Times bestseller that explains how groundbreaking scientific discoveries can help each of us achieve our personal best
Every week, Gretchen Reynolds single-handedly influences how millions of Americans work out. In her popular New York Times column, she debunks myths, spurs conversation, and stirs controversy by questioning widely held beliefs about exercise.
Here, Reynolds consults experts in a range of fields to share paradigm-shifting findings that were previously only available in academic and medical journals, including:
- 20 minutes of cardio is all you need (and sometimes six minutes is enough)
- Stretching before a workout is counterproductive
- Chocolate milk is better than Gatorade for recovery
Whether you’re running ultramarathons or just want to climb the stairs without losing your breath, The First 20 Minutes will show you how to be healthy today and perform better tomorrow.
Review
"[This book] delivers answers to many perennial training questions [and] does a great job of myth-busting some well-established beliefs. It's a great guide for the mindful athlete who wants to gain all the benefits of physical training while minimizing downtime from injury or overtraining." Danny Dreyer, founder of Chi Running
Review
"There has never been a better time in history to grow stronger, faster and smarter; there has never been a more helpful book than Gretchen Reynolds's The First 20 Minutes. Smart, clear, and beautifully useful, this is the new fitness bible for the modern age." Dan Coyle, author of The Talent Code
Review
"The First 20 Minutes is packed with interesting tips and insights. Pickle juice for cramps, who would have ever thought! Gretchen Reynolds once again delivers a winner." Dean Karnazes, NYT bestselling author of UltraMarathon Man
Synopsis
A quick guide to getting in shape and improving performance from New York Times Phys Ed” columnist and author of the New York Times Bestseller
The First 20 Minutes. Do you really know how to get fit and healthy?
Bringing us cutting edge research and science-based prescriptions, Gretchen Reynolds shows us what we do and do not need to do to reach out fitness goals, whether that means running a marathon or just getting off the couch or. Busting popular myths, looking at which supplements actually work, giving us the lowdown on weight training, and singing the praises of just standing up, The First 20 Minutes Personal Trainer is the guide to take wherever you take your workout.
About the Author
Gretchen Reynolds pens the “Phys Ed” column for the New York Times, which appears on the “Well” blog online and in the Science Times print section. An award-winning journalist, her byline has appeared in the New York Times Magazine; O, The Oprah Magazine; AARP Magazine; Popular Science; and Outside, among others. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.