Sure, you could prep for a shirtless beach debut by working your upper back and core, but that may not burn the flab in front of those muscles. That's what this workout can do. "Done as a timed circuit, these three exercises have a metabolic component that can help you grow lean," says its creator, Chris Bathke, C.S.C.S., owner of Elemental Fitness Lab in Portland, Oregon.

DO THIS
Set a timer to beep every minute. Do a set of the first exercise, and rest until the timer beeps. Do the same with the next two exercises. Repeat the cycle 5 times. Need help choosing a timer? Use the guide below to choose the right one for you:

Simple The Tabata Pro iPhone app ($3) lets you program your own interval lengths and play your own rocking tunes during work and rest intervals.

Serious The Gymboss ($20, gymboss.com) is a small stopwatch with a clip for your waistband. It works as a repeating timer, beeping at regular intervals of your choosing.

Splurge The Seiko Interval Timer ($100, performbetter.com) has dual timers that record your speed on splits while also tracking your overall workout duration.

Warning: Don’t be derailed by ab gadgets—many are money-wasting scams. Read our article, Abs Seen on TV, to see how some of those infomercial exercise devises stack up against the classic situp.

Inverted Row

Step 1

Step 2

Grab the bar with an overhand, shoulder-width grip.
Initiate the movement by pulling your shoulder blades back, then continue the pull with your arms to lift your chest to the bar. Pause, then slowly lower your body back to the starting position.

This move has been excerpted from The Men's Health Big Book of Exercises by Adam Campbell.

This move works:
Core, Shoulders, Upper Back

Photo Credit: Beth Bischoff

Rotational Squat

Step 1

Stand with your legs straight and toes pointed forward. Step back diagonally and to the right with your right foot, your toes now pointed out. Keep your torso upright, your elbows bent, and your eyes forward. This is your starting position.
Drop into a deep squat, keeping your right foot flat on the floor while letting the toes of your left foot rise; extend your arms in front of you as you squat down. Return to the starting position. Do 5 repetitions, switch legs, and repeat. To see a twist on this classic exercise, watch The Secret to the Perfect Squat.

This move works:
Core, Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Photo Credit: Kagan McLeod

Renegade Crawl

Step 1

Assume a pushup position but with your hands grasping dumbbells or kettlebells placed on the floor. Pull the weight in your right hand to the right side of your abdomen, and then set it down a few inches forward of where it started. Do a pushup with your hands staggered.
Now repeat the row with your left arm, and do another pushup. Do 4 rows with each arm and a total of 8 pushups. Drag your feet forward as you progress so the weight ends up beneath your shoulder. For another workout that will help you build a 6-pack, check out the 15-minute workout, Carve Your Core.

This move works:
Chest, Core

Photo Credit: Kagan McLeod

15-Minute Workout: Drill to Your Core

Inverted Row

Rotational Squat

Renegade Crawl