Get in Shape Fast

14 Shape-Up Shortcuts

You don’t need to spend an extra second at the gym to score a killer butt, legs, abs, and arms. These genius tricks will help you drop pounds and sculpt muscle in record time
By Caroline Schaefer womenshealth
 

Get Fit Fast

14 Shape-Up Shortcuts // Exercise ball pike ups © Munetaka Tokuyama

Image: Munetaka Tokuyama

It flies. It's tight. You rarely feel like it's on your side. Of course, we're talking about time. You can blame it--or more accurately, the lack of it--for standing in the way of many things, but scoring the body of your dreams is no longer one of them. The latest research shows that sculpting lean legs, a tight tush, and flat abs doesn't require extra hours at the gym. (Video: Quick living room workout)

The trick is to sweat smarter, not harder, and, in many cases, for shorter durations. In fact, a study from McMaster University in Ontario found that people who did brief, fast-paced workouts for a total of 90 minutes a week got just as fit as those who did lower-intensity training for four and a half hours. (Hello! That's an extra three hours a week! For even more savings in time, try the Fastest Way to Lose 10 Pounds.)

With that in mind, leverage these shape-up shortcuts--some maximize the precious (and few) workout minutes you've got; others actually shave them away. Now go and make that dream body a reality.

Get tight, toned and sexy in half the time with the Women's Health 15-Minute Belly, Butt & Thighs Workouts DVD

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