Feel The Power

It's slow, it's intense, and from the sound of things, it's bordering on torture. But it's a workout that Lesley Stahl and friend and ABC competitor Barbara Walters are doing, too.

For decades, America has tried to dance, run, step and even kick its way to a tighter body. But one trainer now claims he's found a fitness solution for a time-starved nation – a workout that takes place once a week, for just 20 minutes. Correspondent Troy Roberts reports.

"It'll burn more calories because the more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism is," says Zickerman.

How does it work? Just five to seven simple exercises, using very heavy weights.

"My way of building muscles is very efficient. Lifting weights in 10 seconds, lower them in 10 seconds," says Zickerman. "No rest in between the repetitions. And going to what I call muscle failure, or complete muscle fatigue."

Stahl has stuck with this unusual program for three years. "For me, it's maintaining my weight. I have a good metabolism, but I would gain weight if I wasn't doing something," she says.

Now, she says she's stronger than most men. And she can even leg press 400 pounds.

Surprisingly, no cardio workouts are needed. No treadmill, no Stairmaster.

"I think we kind of enjoy the fact that we're lifting weights. We think it's cool," says Stahl.

To find out, 48 Hours Investigates asked identical twins Kelli and Vanessa Dunn, plus-size models living in New York City, to do a little experiment with us.

The 29-year-old twins say even plus-size models have to watch just how plus they are. "I've never, ever been able to wear a bikini. Never, ever could wear a half shirt halter-top, cute clothes. Those low rise jeans … oh heck, no," says Vanessa, who wants to lose 10 pounds.

48 Hours asked the twins to follow two separate exercise programs. They had five weeks to reach their goals. And they were also told to watch their diets.

Vanessa was asked to do a traditional cardio regimen three to four days a week. "I'm already dreading tomorrow or the next day," says Vanessa, who started her program at the midtown Manhattan Gold's Gym.

Kelli tried "Power Of 10," just once a week for 20 minutes. "I can't say it was quick and painless, but it was quick," she says.

In fact, it's so quick that while Vanessa is spinning, bouncing, crawling and dancing away, Kelli is out shopping and having fun.

But if it looks too good to be true, sports medicine specialist Dr. Jordan Metzl says it probably is: "My concern with the book is that it seems to suggest that in 20 minutes, once a week, you can get everything you need in terms of exercise. And that's simply not true for most people."

Several health organizations around the country agree. They recommend at least five to six days of moderate exercise per week.

But Zickerman thinks clients like Kelli are proof enough.

Kelli has lost a total of 15 pounds and 8 inches across her chest, waist and thighs. Vanessa, who did the cardio workout, lost only 4 pounds and 4 inches. "I was literally putting in 5 hours a week. She was putting in 20 minutes," says Vanessa. "And she did more than 30 times more weight loss than I had, so the proofs in the pudding."

Kelli may have lost more weight, but Metzl says her program is not heart healthy: "There's not a significant cardiovascular component, built into this, things like walking or jogging – things that you need to keep your heart really in shape for your entire life."

While health experts are still skeptical, exercise haters like Lesley Stahl and Barbara Walters don't care.

"Maybe it's a gimmick. Maybe we can get more out of an hour-long workout," says Walters. "But it's 20 minutes more than I usually do and I will stick with it."

"I'm not going to do any more," adds Stahl. "I just don't want to. I hate it and I'm not going to do it so at least I'm doing this."