You won’t see Matthew McConaughey doing bench-presses at the gym. In fact, lately, you won’t see People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive 2005” anywhere near a gym. Matthew McConaughey maintains his Adonis-like physique by enjoying various calisthenics workouts. The t-shirt-challenged star is often seen doing pushups by the beach, doing pull-ups at the park, running, swimming, or even cycling with his buddy Lance Armstrong. These types of workouts are what allow Matthew McConaughey to keep his body lean and sculpted.

However, when McConaughey has to ditch his attractive lean and fit model bod and get into action-figure shape for movie roles like his one playing leading-man “Dirk Pitt” in the action-adventure movie “Sahara”, he relies on supersets. Supersets are an excellent way to get in shape and bulk up your muscle mass in a short amount of time.

Basically, a superset is an advanced training method in which you engage your muscles by performing two exercises in a row with no resting time in between the sets. Supersets are advantageous to those who want to have a quick workout, increase the intensity of their workout, and prevent injuries by overloading your muscles without the heavy weights that require a spotter. Supersets allow your body to shed fat and build more muscle in less time by shocking your muscles into accelerated growth.

There are many different types of supersets that you can do. These include:

Pre-exhaustion – Using the same muscle group, do one isolating exercise and then one compound exercise. Ex: leg extensions followed by squats

Post-exhaustion – Same muscle group, do one compound exercise, and then one isolating exercise. Ex: squats followed by leg extension

Isolation – Two isolating exercises. Ex: dumbbell fly and cable crossover

Compound – Do two exercises that both workout multiple muscles groups. Ex: Squats and leg presses

Opposing muscle groups – Two exercises that focus on opposing muscle groups (biceps/triceps,back/chest, hamstrings/quadriceps). Ex: Bicep curls followed by triceps

Staggered supersets – Throwing in mini workouts in between sets. Ex: doing crunches in between chess press sets

Tri-Sets – Doing any of the other supersets, but doing three exercises instead of two.

Rock climbing is a fast growing and exciting sport. The mountainous areas of South Carolinas Upstate offer some opportunities for outdoor climbing, but many climbers prefer the controlled conditions of an indoor rock climbing facility. Indoor climbing gyms are also the perfect place for the novice climber to receive instruction and safety advice. There are three indoor facilities in the Spartanburg area that climbers may want to check out.

Climb Upstate is an indoor climbing gym located just minutes from downtown Spartanburg at 208 East Daniel Morgan Avenue. The facility offers a variety of climbing challenges for all skill levels. Their architect designed climbing walls include a 35 foot overhang and a 45 degree lean back section. There is a bouldering cave with a 40 foot roof for those who enjoy climbing without ropes. Rates are reasonable, with an all day climbing pass for $12 and an all day bouldering pass for $9. Climb Upstate offers a 1st Timers Package that is all inclusive. The package includes an all day pass, a climbing harness, belay device, climbing shoes, and a professional belay certification from their staff. This package saves climbers 20% over the regular price and allows beginners to try the sport without making an expensive investment in equipment. Climb Upstate does rent equipment including shoes, chalk bags, harnesses, and belay devices. They offer belay certification so that climbers can manage the rope for their partners. Climb Upstate is open Monday through Friday from 3pm-9pm, Saturday from 11am-9pm, and Sunday from 1pm-6pm.

Climb @ Blue Ridge is located at 301 Bulls Road in nearby Taylors, South Carolina, between Spartanburg and Greenville. This facility was formerly known as Rocks and Ropes. Climbers of every skill level should be able to find appropriate routes to climb on these indoor walls. The facility is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 10pm and Saturday from 10am-10pm. Sunday climbing is by reservation only. An all inclusive rate of $17 includes the gym user fee, all gear, and a belay check. Gym user fee alone is $10 and the bouldering fee is $7. The gym user fee for ages 10 and under is $8.

The Glendale Outdoor Leadership School is just east of Spartanburg in Glendale, South Carolina. The street address is 270 Wheeling Circle. Their 20 foot high indoor climbing wall has 1,000 square feet of climbing area, featuring ramped and inverted walls, bouldering areas, and crack climbing. A climbing assistant is on hand during open-to-the-public hours. In addition to the climbing wall, Glendale Outdoor Leadership School offers other activities such as kayaking and mountain biking. Contact the facility at (864)529-0259 for information on rates and public hours.

Experienced climbers and beginners who want to learn a new sport should try one of these indoor climbing facilities in the Spartanburg area. Climbers are sure to have a challenging and fun experience.

Finding good used home gym equipment used to be a real hassle but thanks to the Internet finding quality equipment is simple and easy. All you need is your computer and an Internet connection and you will be on your way to building a fantastic home gym in no time.

Whether you are just starting out, or have been working to get fit for a long time it doesn’t make sense to wreck your financial health while making your body healthy and cheap home gym equipment helps you stay fit in all areas of your life. This is a list of places to look for great used home gym equipment that won’t break your bank.

Online Resale Auctions

Obvious first choices for finding used home gym equipment are the many online auction sites. This is a list of some of the most popular places to shop online that carry both new and used home gym equipment at great prices.

– EBay.com
– Auctions.overstock.com
– Ubid.com
– Webidz.com
– Qxbid.com
– Propertyroom.com

Online Retail Outlet Stores

Places that carry a wide variety of items from many different manufacturers also often carry used home gym equipment. Some of these places are:

– Amazon.com
– Overstock.com

Online Retail Stores

Actual home gym equipment stores online that also sell used equipment traded in for new items can offer great values too. Many retailers such as Bowflex have used home gym equipment for sale and you can also find bargain used home gym equipment at online fitness stores as well. Some of the more common stores are:

– Americanfitness.net
– Homefitnessequipment.org
– Gymsource.com

Brick and Mortar Stores

Even in the high tech Internet age you should not count out your local retailers when looking for specialty items. Search your yellow pages for used home gym equipment retailers and you might be surprised at how many are right around the corner from where you live.

Quality Control

The hardest aspect of buying anything online including used home gym equipment is knowing what shape it is in. Most of the time you will have to trust the seller’s evaluation of the items, and usually they will be fair assessments.

Be prepared, however, to return items not listed accurately and report the user for fraud if they do not make every attempt to rectify the problem either with a refund or replacement with the actual item you purchased. Careful research and paying attention to seller feedback or ratings can help you make intelligent selections and find satisfaction with your purchases in most cases.

Kickboxing Classes in Urbana, MD

There are only so many days that someone wants to go to the gym. People dread on the fact that they have to go to the gym every day and never see the results that they are looking for. Its about time you jump on the bandwagon of cardio exercises in Urbana, MD, rather than the conventional treadmill run. With kickboxing boot camp exercises, the ability to increase the importance of your health and fitness, and the fact that you will be losing weight while enjoying a high energy workout, youll find yourself reaching your desired goal in achieving the body you always dreamed of having.

Boot camp exercises are workouts that add body weight exercises to classic kickboxing moves. Like traditional kickboxing classes, these involve active warm-up and cool-down periods. During boot camp exercises the use of body weights will train your bodys balancing mechanisms, as well as your coordination. Cardio kickboxing boot camp exercises in Urbana have the ability to fully work your entire body and burn large amounts of calories in just a short amount of time.

Health and fitness is extremely important and when it comes to kickboxing in Frederick, MD, you are guaranteed to be a healthier new YOU. Because this exercise is heart-pumping, you tend to increase your heart rate performance and breathing capacity. Kickboxing classes in Frederick are at a high pace, high energy level. This class allows you to be fully aware of your surroundings, letting all of your stress and frustrations out. You will be burning fat and toning your body all at the same time. Not only will you look great but you will feel great. You will be more confident and your spirits will be high. You will feel more alive and more ready than ever to take on daily tasks. A more toned and fit physique is what everyone desires. Get encouraged and enroll today to be part of a Frederick County kickboxing class and proceed to a great transformation!

Kickboxing classes in Urbana allow you to let loose. Your body will move in ways in which you will have complete control over. You will develop strength, and a very high level of self-defense. You will take in all of the simple and complex tasks and skills in which are taught during such a class. You will begin to notice that everything you learn during a kickboxing class in Urbana will benefit you both during and after class.

So what will it be? Do you want a new and improved you? A lifestyle that you can be satisfied with, that can make you feel great about who it is that you are and what it is you look like? Do yourself a favor and pick up a kickboxing class in Urbana! You will not regret this decision and you will constantly wonder why you didnt enroll sooner.

Have you been hunting for an aerobics program to bring you down in weight and keep you healthy and fit?? You should try step aerobics which is a total new thing that is nothing like other forms of aerbics. Here too various arm and leg movements, with music, are followed, but it also includes a small platform, called the step . The routine is almost always done using the step and it provides muscle tone and strength to lower body than anything else will.

Step aerobics classes are offered by a lot of gyms across the country. Most of the time, the step platforms are usually provided by the class, however if it isn t provided you would have to get one for your yourself, and it would not cost you more that $100. The minimum height for the step would be 4 inches but can be adjusted according to the needs of the individual, such as experience, height and comfort.

But be careful, steps are effective but they are also injuries best friend. The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine gives a few tips on how to prevent such injuries from occurring.

You must not use a platform that is too high for you.

If you place your foot partially on the platform, then the chances are that you will fall.

Do not hop on and off the platform as this could lead to fractures.

Ensure that the shoes you wear during the workout are well padded

The benefits of step aerobics are many. The best part about step aerobics exercise is that it burns calories and fats while toning muscles and strengthening them. IStep aerobics will also improve your blood circulation and will reduce blood pressure. It is very good for the cardiovascular system.

If you suffer from knee or back injuries, consult your physician before taking up step aerobics. In order to prevent further strain to the back and spine, keep your body straight during the routine. If you are getting in to step aerobics at home, always remember to warm up before any routine. This is vital in order to prepare the body for the vigorous exercises that would follow. Perform the step aerobics routines frequently with the same frequency in order to gain proper results. A good diet and healthy hydration is also two crucial aspects you should consider while being involved with step aerobics.