It sounds too good to be true: The Exercise Coach's concept is a 20-minute workout just two times a week.

After all my years training in gyms and trying various fitness routines, I had a hard time imagining an effective cardio and muscle-toning workout in such a limited amount of time.

But after taking my four free sessions, a perk for all new clients, I get it.

It's a true workout, a great one for busy professionals who have only 20 minutes to spare. Basically, in that time, you push yourself to the max, whether it's via a five-minute cardio session or five reps on a leg-press machine. Each of the Exercise Coach's high-tech cardio and resistance machines is a computer that stores your exertion and tracks each session every minute. The machines record your best three attempts, then average them, so when you return the next time you have a benchmark to target.

It actually sounds more complex than it is.

"Five minutes on one of these machines is like 30 minutes to an hour on a traditional machine in a gym," says coach Courtney Bastien, the studio manager and former Lifetime Fitness trainer.

She says clients are encouraged to come just twice a week for 20-minute sessions, but no more than that since the body needs recovery time and builds more muscle at rest.

My first session was quick, as we worked through my three attempts at each machine to determine my average. The next session was a full-on workout; I worked up a sweat as I pushed through leg presses, chest pulls and shoulder exercises. I also managed to cycle through a tough three-minute session on the bike. My third and fourth sessions focused on cardio and the ab-burning machine. Days later, I still felt the burn.

Short interval training offers the best results in losing weight and gaining muscle, Bastien contends. The majority of the Exercise Coach's clients are working baby boomers - physicians at the Texas Medical Center, downtown attorneys and managers- though there are some student athletes. About 40 to 50 clients workout at the studio daily, she said.

The Chicago-based company was founded in 2000 and now has 23 locations in Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Texas. Owners David Pittman and Brad Bundy opened Houston's first location in West University in April and a second location at 9412 Gaylord in Memorial this month.

The Exercise Coach West University

Where: 4060 Bissonnet, 713-766-5300; theexercisecoach.com

The workout: A 20-minute intense interval program that will leave you feeling like you did an hour at the gym

Fitness level: All levels, especially great for those with injuries or weak areas, as the machines can adjust to your needs

Intensity: Medium to high

Gear: Moisture-wicking workout clothes, a towel and water bottle

Price: $349 a month for twice-a-week sessions; $279 for partner training (two people) twice-a-week sessions. For new clients, the first four sessions are free.

FitGear

Oakley is known for its super-cool sunglasses and performance eyewear, but it also has a stylish line of women's and men's fitness apparel. The fitness gear is made with the brand's O Hydrolix, a fabric that helps keep you dry and comfortable during high activity. Some of the pieces also have reflective prints that stand out when training at night and anti-bacterial components that reduce odor. Women's gear is $25-$90; men's $25-$75. Available at Oakley Galleria and other store locations or oakley.com.