COVER STORY – Cub Creek Science Camp

20 at 20

Twenty years of 20 Minutes to Fitness

When Paul and Laura Miller of St. Louis first read in Newsweek about a 20-minute, once-a-week fitness regimen, they were skeptical.

The 2001 article, which described a safe way to lift weight in super-slow motion, seemed too good to be true.

But University of Florida Medical School research found the regimen improved strength, bone density and overall functionality in people of all ages and fitness levels. Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes was a fan. So was Barbara Walters. Both trained at a New York City studio founded by fitness guru Adam Zickerman.

Intrigued, the Millers traveled to New York to experience the workout firsthand. Soon they were hooked.

Later that year, they opened 20 Minutes to Fitness in Clayton, the first studio of its kind in our region. Staffed by physical therapists and other professionals, it offered St. Louisans a safe, efficient way to build muscle. Because the once-a-week workout takes just 20 minutes, it also freed participants to spend the remaining 10,060 minutes in their week with family and friends, furthering their careers or doing anything OTHER than think about exercise.

BETTY CUNIBERTI, a former Post-Dispatch columnist and breast cancer-survivor, was an early convert. Writing about her experience, she effused over the workout’s many benefits, concluding, “I never dreamed at age 55, I’d hit a golf ball so far or wear a skirt so short.”

20 years of 20 Minutes to Fitness

20 Minutes to Fitness today has locations in

Chesterfield and Clayton, along with Tampa and

Sarasota, Florida, where DICK SMOTHERS of Smothers Brothers-fame trained, claiming the workout helped him get in “THE BEST SHAPE OF (HIS) LIFE.” KMOX radio’s CHARLIE BRENNAN has trained at 20 Minutes to Fitness since 2006 because “20 minutes, once a week is something I can stick with,” he says. “Plus, it has the added benefit of working great.” Pro golfer JAY DELSING credits 20 Minutes to Fitness with helping him build the strength needed to rejoin the PGA Champions tour after back surgery.

Since its founding, 20 Minutes to Fitness has trained countless doctors, a former Olympic ice dancer, high school football players, grandmothers seeking to build bone density, busy corporate executives, avid cyclists, father-daughter duos and thousands of health-minded people just trying to live their fittest and best lives.

All say they appreciate the one-on-one, by-appointment-only training. They like that 20 Minutes to Fitness requires no memberships or long-term commitments. Most importantly, they love the results.

As 20 Minutes to Fitness celebrates its 20th year, the Millers, general manager CASEY BRESLIN, PT, and their staff still meet people who are skeptical of a 20-minute, once-a-week workout. They understand. They suggest you do the same thing they did: just try it.

Your first workout, along with a health screening and consultation, is free.

For more information on 20 Minutes to Fitness, call its local studios in Clayton (314-863-7836), Chesterfield (636-536-1504), Sarasota or Tampa, or visit 20MinutesToFitness.com.