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 recoveryWhether 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.