50 Ways to Leave Your Blubber 

You tried your best. You really did. But it's been about two months since you gave up on your New Year's resolution to shed some excess weight and finally get in shape. Now it's 80 degrees outside, summer is right around the corner, and your bathing suit is cruelly mocking you from inside your dresser drawer.It's time to get your lazy butt off the couch and just do it. No more excuses. You've got to put your nose to the grindstone and give 110 percent. No pain, no gain, and...ah hell, I've run out of inspirational cliches. Of course the key to reaching your fitness goal doesn't lie in some marketing slogan. The only way to really stay motivated is by having fun. So with that in mind, we've come up with 50 great ways to shed fat, strengthen your muscles, and enjoy the great outdoors. Note: we have left out the most obvious ways you can get fit, which is going to a gym or spa and working out with the rest of the plebes. So get with it. Put on your sneakers, down a protein shake, don't forget to stretch, and, um, start reading!

1. WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Let's start with something easy and simple — that old bipedal form of locomotion known as walking. It's become increasingly rare in our car crazy culture, and the streets of Charlotte aren't exactly pedestrian friendly. Thankfully, we have a great public park system with 21 miles of greenway trails where you don't have to worry about breathing exhaust fumes or getting run down by an SUV. Most of the trails are paved and run along creeks. Plus, the park system also contains three nature preserves (McAlpine Creek, Latta Plantation and McDowell) with another 33 miles of hiking and walking trails. For details go to www.parkandrec.com and click on "things to do" and from there you can get information on hiking, walking and trail maps. Also, check out the Fit City Challenge (www.fitcitychallenge.org) for all kinds of information about fitness programs, events and facilities.

Additional walking/hiking resources:

Carolina Berg Wanderers (www.carolinabergs.com)
Sierra Club www.sierraclub-nc.org
Team in Training (www.teamintraining.org/nc)
Metrolina Walkers Volkssport Clubwww.metwalk.freeservers.com

2. RUN, FORREST, RUN The natural progression after walking is running; it's pretty much the same, just faster. If you're a novice runner and are looking for some helpful tips, or an experienced marathoner trying to shave a few seconds off your time, the resources below will help you out:

Charlotte Running Co: www.charlotteracefest.com
Run for Your Life: www.runforyourlife.com
Carolina Track and Field Club 704-588-6885
Charlotte Area Penguins/Mangum Track Club: www.tricharlotte.com
Charlotte Gay FrontRunners: 704-372-0079
Charlotte Roadrunners Club: 704-814-6670
Charlotte Track and Tri Club: www.charlottetrackandtriclub.org
Lake Norman Road Runners: 704-896-2195

3. BE A SWINGER Tennis is great exercise, helps improve coordination, and is a lot of fun. Charlotte has about 30 public tennis courts, including the Jeff Adams Tennis Center at Renaissance Park on Tyvola Rd. There are also several Charlotte tennis leagues that organize various tournaments and social events. For details, go to www.parkandrec.com, click on "things to do," then select "tennis." For information on league play, check out:

www.matchmakertennis.com
www.charlottetennisassociation.com
www.carolinatennis.com

4. BOXING There is perhaps no better or more intense workout than boxing. Not only will it get you in great shape, but you'll also learn how to defend yourself and give your confidence a boost. If you're interested, check out Southside Boxing, where Joe Mayer or one of his instructors can help. There's also the Charlotte Boxing Academy, a joint venture of County Park and Rec and the academy, a private club funded by donations.

Southside Boxing for Fitness, 1405 Tyvola Rd., 704-527-8624 / 1111 Hawthorne Lane.
Charlotte Boxing Academy, 407 East 36th Street, 704-372-0410

5. GOLF "Hitting a ball with a crooked stick. Then walking after it! Then hitting it again! I say pick it up, asshole! You're lucky you found the fuckin' thing!" I have to agree with George Carlin's assessment of golf; I just don't get it. Nonetheless, my cluelessness aside, millions of people love this game. If you're a golfing enthusiast you're in luck, because Charlotte and the surrounding areas are practically overrun with golf courses, including five public courses owned and operated by Mecklenburg County Park & Rec. For details, go to www.parkandrec.com, click on "things to do" and then select "golf." And, of course, there are a slew of private, swankoid courses in case you're as interested in discussing business deals as getting fit. Other golf services include Charlotte Singles Golf at www.charlottesingles.com

6. BIKING Charlotte is by no means a bicycle-friendly town, but folks are working on it. For instance, BIKES of Charlotte/Mecklenburg (www.charlottebikes.org) is an advocacy group working to promote safe bicycling for recreation and transportation. They've also created a "Bicycle Suitability Map" which helps cyclists use existing roadways to travel throughout the area. If you're not willing to take on Charlotte's mean streets, there are plenty of biking trails available at Charlotte-area parks, some of which can challenge even the most experienced mountain biker. If you're looking for a more leisurely, family-friendly bike ride, Charlotte's greenway system is the way to go. And Hornets Nest Park on Beatties Ford Road has a 1,150-foot regulation BMX bike track, which hosts competitions every Saturday. For details go to:www.parkandrec.com and click on "things to do," then click on "biking" or "greenways."

Check out these local clubs for more information on mountain biking and street cycling:

www.tarheeltrailblazers.com (club)
www.charlottemtnbike.com (local races)
www.dirtdivas.net (women's mountain bike club)
Bike Commuter Support Group: www.bikementor.org
Cannonballs Cycling Team: www.cannonballs-cycling.org
Charlotte Sports Cycling: www.charlottesportscycling.com
Rank Riders: www.RankRiders.com
Rock Hill Bicycle Club: www.rockhillbicycleclub.com
TailWind Tandem Club: www.tailwindtandemclub.com
Tarheel Cyclists: www.tarheelcyclists.org
Tarheel Trailblazers: www.tarheeltrailblazers.com
Team in Training: www.teamintraining.org/nc

7. SOCCER Soccer is a fun and challenging workout — not to mention a seemingly all-consuming force among middle and upper-class families with SUVs and young children. There are several men's, women's and co-rec. adult soccer programs, as well as many public parks with soccer fields. For more info, check out: www.parkandrec.com and click on "things to do," then "soccer."

Charlotte Women's Soccer League (www.cwslsoccer.com)
Metrolina Adult Soccer League (www.eteamz.com/maslsoccer)

8. ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL Nearly the same as regular football, but with less compound fractures and turf burns, flag football is a great way to get outside with your friends and toss the old pigskin around. (Although technically, most are now made from synthetic rubber — damn animal rights' activists.) Mecklenburg County Park and Rec offers competitive and recreational division adult flag football leagues. The leagues run in the spring and fall at various parks in the Charlotte area, and games are played on Saturdays. For more information, contact Mike Moraglia, Athletic Coordinator at 704-353-1241 or e-mail at Moragms@co.mecklenburg.nc.us

9. SOFTBALL Softball is one of the most popular sports among Charlotte's young professionals. It gives folks an excuse to get together outside of work, get in a little exercise, and then consume mass quantities of alcohol afterwards. Charlotte Mecklenburg Park and Rec has dozens of facilities with softball fields, including several parks with multiple fields, including, Hornet's Nest Park, Mallard Creek Park, Nevin Park, Park Road Park and Renaissance Park. For more info, check out: www.parkandrec.com and click on "things to do," then "softball."

Clubs and Organizations: Carolina Softball (www.CarolinaSoftball.net)

10. BASEBALL If you're looking for something a little more competitive — not to mention 90mph pitches — you may want to give the Charlotte Adult Baseball League a try. The league began in 1988 with just four teams for players 30 and over only. Today, the league includes 10 teams and has opened up the age requirements to include all adults 18 and over. For more information, check out the Charlotte Adult Baseball League at: www.cabl-usa.org

11. DISC GOLF Although it's debatable whether disc golf is actually a sport or a pastime for stoners, it's a great way to spend the afternoon. There are six disc golf courses in Charlotte, each located at a public park. One of the nicer ones is Reedy Creek. Even if you're not into tossing the disc, the course itself is picturesque and peaceful. The same basic principles of regular golf are used in disc golf, except instead of balls and a club, you toss flying discs into metal baskets. Check out the Charlotte Disc Golf Club at: www.charlottedgc.com.

Disc Golf Park/Course locations:
Hornet's Nest Park, 6331 Beatties Ford Rd.
Kilborne Park, 2600 Kilborne Dr.
Reedy Creek Park, 2900 Rocky River Rd.
Renaissance Park, 200 W. Tyvola Rd.
Sugaw Creek Park, 943 W. Sugar Creek Rd.
Veterans Park, 2136 Central Ave.

12. BUMP, SET, SPIKE Ah, how I love the game of volleyball. The athletic grace. The power. The timing. The 6-foot-plus Amazon women on TV with barely-there bathing suits. Of course for people who actually want to play the game, there are about 30 parks with volleyball facilities in Charlotte, and there are a number of men's, women's and co-rec leagues that play year-round. For more information, check out: www.parkandrec.com, click on "things to do," then "volleyball."

13. SKATING After discovering fire, man created the wheel, and emergency room hospitals have never been the same. Sure, skating and skateboarding cause countless bumps and bruises every year, but it's still a fun way to get some exercise. There are a growing number of places around Charlotte where kids and adults can skate without being hassled by The Man, man. If you're looking for aggressive inline skating, check out Charlotte's only publicly owned skatepark, the Methodist Home Skatepark. It features a 6-foot vertical half-pipe, 6-foot bank ramps, a pyramid ramp and other street course challenges. Extremes offers a 10,000 sq. ft. indoor skate park especially designed for skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX freestylers. Finally, Grayson Skatepark is now under construction and expected to be completed this summer, featuring a flow/street course complete with banks, transitions, corners, rails and ledges.

Methodist Home Skatepark, 3200 Shamrock Drive, 704-568-3363.
Extremes, 10930 Granite Street, 704-583-1444, www.extremes-usa.com.
Grayson Park, 750 Beal Street, 704-643-3405.
14. PADDLING Charlotte may be landlocked, but we're just a few hours away from some world-class rivers. You can take on exciting Class III and IV rapids (paddler-speak for intermediate and advanced) along the Nantahala, Chattooga and French Broad, all in the NC mountains. There are several Charlotte-area lakes, all of which have put-in areas for canoes and kayaks. For more information go to: www.parkandrec.com, click on "things to do," then "boating." County Park and Rec also offers canoe/kayak Instruction.

Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is one of the largest commercial rafting operations around, offering a wide variety of rafting options. 13077 US 19 W, Bryson City, NC, www.noc.com.

Wildwater Ltd. is another popular whitewater rafting outfitter that serves the Nantahala. They also provide a variety rafting trips and training programs. Long Creek, SC, www.wildwaterrafting.com/nantahala.

The following facilities offer launch sites for canoes, kayaks and other non-motorized watercraft. No launch fees are required.

McDowell Nature Preserve (Lake Wylie), 704-588-5224.
Latta Plantation Nature Preserve (Mountain Island Lake), 704-875-1391.
Paddling/Boating Clubs and Organizations:
Carolina Canoe Club (www.carolinacanoeclub.com)
Carolina Kayak Polo (www.carolinakayakpolo.org)
Mecklenburg Paddlers (www.mrponline.org)
Kayaking at CPCC: Learn the basics of flatwater kayaking. www.cpcctraining.org/personal_interest

15. ROWING No longer just for snooty Ivy League students, the sport of rowing has been a part of the Catawba Yacht Club at Lake Wylie since 1991, which now offers several different rowing and instruction programs. Non-members can also join the CYC Masters team. This group competes in various regattas around the Southeast. Catawba Yacht Club, Lake Wylie, SC, 704-332-3032, www.catawbayc.org.

16. GO FLY A KITE Kiteboarding is one of the most adrenaline-inducing, testosterone-fueled sports around. Willing victims, er, participants are pulled through the water and sometimes 30 to 40 feet into the air at speeds of up to 30 mph via a giant kite while strapped to a wakeboard. The skills required to maneuver successfully combine elements of sailing, surfing, skiing and kite-flying. And best of all, one of the hottest locations in the world to go kiteboarding is Cape Hatteras along the southern end of North Carolina's Outer Banks. There, you'll find REAL Kiteboarding, which offers a variety of instructional programs and gear.

REAL Kiteboarding, Buxton, NC 27920, 866-REAL-Kite, www.realkiteboarding.com.

17. BADMINTON Badminton — that odd cross between volleyball and tennis — is no longer just a game played in the backyard by neighborhood kids. Today it's an Olympic sport with national and international organizations, and tournaments held all over the country. And Charlotte has also gotten in on the shuttlecock craze with the Charlotte Badminton Club, which usually practices at Latta Park and the Marion Diehl Center, and holds annual competitions. For more information, check out:

www.charlottebadminton.org

18. BROOMBALL What the hell is broomball? I'm glad you asked. Although similar to hockey, players wear sponge-like rubber-sole shoes instead of skates to give them a better grip on the ice. Instead of a hockey stick, players use a "broom," which is basically a stick with a flat, wide head made from aluminum. Players use the broom to hit 5-inch rubber balls in the goal. The rules are similar to hockey, in that there are five players and a goalkeeper on each team. Carolina Broomball plays Sundays at Eastland Mall Ice House between 6:15 and 8:15pm. For more details, check out Carolina Broomball at: www.carolinabroomball.com

19. CLIMBING If your idea of a good time is hanging off the face of a cliff while thousands of feet in the air, then you're in luck, because Charlotte is just a short drive from some of the country's best rock climbing locales. If you'd like a little practice first before tackling an actual mountain, check out Inner Peaks Climbing Center where experienced instructors will teach you all about climbing safety and equipment. Once you're ready to scale real-life rocks, check out the websites below for information about great NC mountains including Stone Mountain, and Crowder's Mountain, which is 1,385-feet tall, has over 150 climbing routes and is only 30 minutes south of Charlotte.

Carolina Climbers Coalition, www.carolinaclimbers.org.
NC Bouldering, www.ncbouldering.com.
Crowder's Mountain State Park, www.crowdersmountain.com.
Inner Peaks, 704-844-6677, www.innerpeaks.com.

20. CRICKET Although the game play and rules are very different, the basic concept of cricket is similar to that of baseball. Teams bat in successive innings and attempt to score runs, while the opposing team fields and attempts to bring an end to the batting team's innings. After each team has batted an equal number of innings, the team with the most runs wins. However, instead of bases, bats and balls, cricket uses equipment with names like wickets, stumps and bails. If interested in learning more, check out the Mecklenburg County Cricket Club (MCC) (www.mecklenburgcc.com) which competes in various tournaments, and welcomes all newcomers who are interested in learning how to play the game.

21. HOCKEY You like to ice skate? You like to get bumped around? How about oral surgery, that sound OK? Then ice hockey's for you. And if you'd like to play ice hockey in a male-free atmosphere, you're in luck with the Charlotte Ice Cats. Charlotte Ice Cats (Women), www.charlotteicecats.com.

22. ORIENTEERING Are you the kind of person who whenever you go for a walk or hike along challenging or unfamiliar terrain — say, the mall parking lot — you wind up scratching your head and thinking "Where the hell am I?" If so, you need orienteering. It's a sport in which "orienteers" use an accurate, detailed map and a compass to find points on the landscape. It can be enjoyed as a walk in the woods or as a competitive sport. If this sounds like it's for you, check out the Carolina Orienteering Klubb (www.carolina-ok.org).

23. RUGBY Rugby is a lot like football, except rougher, more grueling and players don't wear pads or helmets. If you think you're man — or woman — enough to give this sport a try, check out the Charlotte Rugby Club, which was established in 1971 and today competes in USA Rugby Division I. And there's a five-year-old women's team, the Charlotte Mayhem (which is probably better than a women's team of yore which was named the Charlotte Harlots).

Charlotte Rugby Club, www.charlotterugby.com
Charlotte Mayhem, www.charlottemayhem.com

24. SAILING Charlotte is blessed with several lakes, and if sailing is your thing, check out the Outrigger Yacht Club or the Lake Norman Yacht Club, both of which promote seamanship, friendly competition, and social activities for sailors on Lake Norman.

Outrigger Yacht Club, www.outriggeryachtclub.org

Lake Norman Yacht Club, www.lnyc.org

25. SCUBA If you prefer to get your exercise under the water rather than on top of it, there are several scuba diving clubs in the Charlotte area. Hammerheads has monthly get-togethers, organizes trips and presents slide and video shows. The Nubian Divers of Charlotte (NDC) was founded in 1995 as an order of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers. The group has gone on diving trips to Florida, Bahamas, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Hawaii and more; they also offer training and continuing education courses. There's also the Matthews Public Anemones Dive Club, which provides a way to bring together the friends and spouses of divers so that anyone and everyone is included.

Hammerheads, www.charlotte-hammerheads.com
Nubian Divers of Charlotte, www.nubiandivers.com
Public Anemones Dive Club, www.publicanemones.com

26. SPEEDSKATING It's like skating only, well, speedier, and it's one serious workout. If you're interested, check out the Southeast Ice Speedskating Club (SEISSC). The group has team practices at Eastland Mall Ice House, and offers loaner skates for those just learning.

Southeast Ice Speedskating Club, www.eteamz.com/SEISSC

27. WINDSURFING It's at least a 9 on a cool scale of 1 to 10, John Kerry notwithstanding, and The International Board Sailing Club of Charlotte is made up of some of the most fanatical windsurfers you'll find east of Maui. Every year the club schedules trips to Oregon, Hatteras, Wilmington, or Charleston. Locally, members sail on Lake Norman.

International Board Sailing Club of Charlotte, www.ibscc.org

28. FISHING OK, so fishing doesn't burn as many calories as jogging or biking, but it allows you to brush up on your worm-handling skills, and who knows, you might just catch that night's dinner. Great fishing spots abound in Mecklenburg County. For details, check out www.parkandrec.com, click on "things to do," then "fishing." You'll find information about fishing permits, the park's tackle loaner program, as well as the locations of county parks and nature preserves that allow fishing.

29. HORSEBACK RIDING Technically, the horse is the one getting the exercise, although you may think otherwise later when your thighs and rear are screaming at you. In any case, if you've got a hankering for some equestrian fun, check out the Latta Plantation Equestrian Center, which features show grounds, lighted arenas, guided trail rides, horseback riding lessons and a tack shop.

Latta Plantation Equestrian Center, 6201 Sample Road, Huntersville,704-875-0808, lattahorse@netzero.net

30. BOWLING It's cheap, it's fun, it works your arms and legs, and it usually provides great people-watching opportunities. And of course don't forget cosmic bowling where they crank up the tunes and put on a light show. Many bowling centers, particularly Northcross Lanes at the Lake, have several other entertainment options, including game rooms and karaoke bars.

AMF Carolina Lanes, Matthews, 704-841-7606
AMF Centennial Lanes, South Boulevard, 704-527-0333
Northcross Lanes at the Lake, Statesville Road, Huntersville, 704-892-7177
AMF Coliseum Lanes, Independence Boulevard, 704-334-0431
George Pappas Park Lanes, Montford Drive, 704-523-7633
Park Lanes, AMF University Lanes, N. Tryon, 704-596-4763

31. POOL OK, so the world's most famous pool player was named Minnesota Fats, but that doesn't mean you can't get a good workout. It's all about being creative. For instance, every time you sink a ball, do 10 pushups. Or, better yet, take a swig from your beer. Or both. Either way, don't forget to stretch first, and get a spotter if necessary.

Elizabeth Billiards, 704-342-2663. This Central Avenue mainstay is everything a pool hall should be: smoky, dark and unassuming.

Bailey's Sports Grille, Pineville Matthews Road,704-541-0794.

32. KICK SOME ASS Ah, the dignified, meditative and ancient practice of martial arts — who needs it? All that Ying and Yang stuff is OK, but if you just want to learn how to kick the shit out of somebody in a nasty street fight, check out F.I.S.T — Fight Survival Training. Nick Hughes, who has black belts in a variety of martial arts, is a former member of the French Foreign Legion, started F.I.S.T following 9/11. It's a collection of techniques loosely based on those Hughes taught in the military, modified for civilians.

F.I.S.T, 4401 Colwick Rd. Suite 209, 704-364-3458, www.fightsurvival.com

33. ANTISEEN What better way to work out than flailing, dancing, sweating and shoving in a mosh pit? For over 20 years, ANTiSEEN has been playing their hard-charging Destructo rock and scaring the bejeezus out of folks with their raucous shows; specifically, the antics of lead singer Jeff Clayton, who regularly dives into walls of barbed wire and onto burning tables. And don't step out of line at their shows. During a gig in Vegas a kid in the audience started cutting himself up and splattering blood, and then jumped onstage. Big mistake. Clayton kicked him in the head and threw him back in the crowd, then heaved bottles at him and smashed him upside the head with a mike stand. Now that's exercise.

34. BASKETBALL From the moment you step onto the court everything else fades away. It doesn't matter if your car payment is late, you and your girlfriend just had a fight, or your boss is a jerk. What matters is how well you can put the ball through the rim in what is an intricate, complex and physically demanding game. And a game of one-on-one can be just as much fun and challenging as a full court five-on-five battle royal. There are dozens of basketball courts in Charlotte, as well as league divisions for open teams, employee teams as well as a men's over-30 team. For more information, check out www.parkandrec.com, click on "things to do," then "basketball."

35. FIGHT GRAVITY When Luc Pham was in 10th grade, he invented the Gravity Simulating Machine (GSM), a unique exercise apparatus consisting of a full-body suit embedded with magnets and an electromagnetic platform. The exerciser wears the full-body suit while standing over the platform, thus turning even the mildest physical exertion into a super-charged workout. And it's adjustable! Pham's patent application for the GSM was granted in 2003, and he's currently trying to get funding from NASA in order to develop a full-size prototype. Stay tuned.

36. SHAKE YOUR BOOTY Come on, it's almost summer — get out there and shake that thang. It's a fun, liberating way to work up a sweat and burn some calories, especially if you can find an attractive partner to join you on the dance floor. Some of Charlotte's hottest dance spots include Have a Nice Day Café and Tonic, with its booming, custom-built sound system and elegant interior. Also check out Bar Charlotte, where plenty of red-blooded young partygoers go to see and be seen. And some of the best dancing in town can be found at Scorpio and Velocity, two renowned gay clubs.

Tonic, 1427 E 4th St., 704-347-2582.
Have a Nice Day Café, 314 North College St., 704-358-0752.
Bar Charlotte, 300 North College St.,704-342-2545.
Scorpio, 2301 Freedom Dr., 704-373-9124.
Velocity, 935 S. Summit Ave., 704-333-0060.

37. YOGA If you still think yoga is just for tofu-eating sissies, then it's time you said hello to Downward Facing Dog. Yoga is a challenging workout that strengthens the muscles, improves balance, increases flexibility and releases stress. Moreover, there's a yoga studio on just about every corner, as well as a number of classes at the local YMCAs.

38. FOOSBALL Foosball, while not as popular as other parlor games such as pool, is one of those pastimes that has a passionate, cult-like following. The game — also known as table soccer — is believed to have originated in Germany during the late 20s. A guy named Lawrence Patterson brought the first table soccer game to the US in 1962, and received trademark rights to the term "Foosball." Two great places to play are:

Bailey's Sports Grille, 8500 Pineville Matthews Road, 704-541-0794.
Thomas Street Tavern, 1218 Thomas Street Ave., 704-376-5975.

39. SWIMMING Swimming is great exercise, much easier on your body than running and other impact sports, plus you get to see people in their bathing suits. County Park and Rec offers several great public swimming facilities, including the Aquatic Center, the Marion Diehl Center Pool, and Ray's Splash Planet. They also offer swimming and water exercise classes for all ages. If you're interested, call the Aquatic Center at 704-336-DIVE or check out www.parkandrec.com, then click on "aquatics."

Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 800 East 2nd St., 704-336-DIVE
Marion Diehl Center, 2219 Tyvola Road, 704-527-0237
Ray's Splash Planet, 215 N. Sycamore St., 704-432-4RAY

PUBLIC NEIGHBORHOOD POOLS
Revolution Pool, 120 Remount Rd., 704-336-2652
Cordelia Pool, 2100 N. Davidson St., 704-336-2096
Double Oaks, 1200 Newland Rd., 704-336-2653

40. WATER SKIING If you're into water skiing, you're in luck, because the Charlotte area is blessed with several great lakes, including Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake and Lake Wylie. Plus there are a number of public boat launch areas provided through Duke Power and a state park on Lake Norman in Iredell County. Lake Wylie, about 15 miles south of Charlotte in York County, 325 miles of shoreline, ideal for boating, fishing, water skiing and sailing.

McDowell Park, McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road (Hwy 49), 704-583-1176

Lake Wylie/Catawba River

Gaston County

South Point South Point Road, 26 acres of land as well as 3,410 feet of shoreline. Six concrete boat ramps and three floating parking spaces.

York County

Buster Boyd Hwy 49, 662 feet of Lake Wylie shoreline, covering four acres of terrain including two concrete boat ramps with four lanes and one floating loading pier with three slips.

Mountain Island Lake

Mountain Island Lake is located on the Catawba River chain and forms the line separating Mecklenburg and Gaston counties. It has approximately 3,281 acres of surface area and 61 miles of shoreline. There are several public access areas on the lake:

Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville, 704-875-1391

Neck Road Access Area, covering six acres alongside 614 feet of shoreline. Park amenities include a concrete boat ramp, a stationary loading pier and 50 gravel parking spaces for visitor convenience.

Jetton Park, 19000 Jetton Road, Cornelius, 704-896-9808
Jetton Park is a 105-acre lakefront park offering a variety of recreational opportunities.
Ramsey Creek Park, 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius, 704-896-9808.
This 46-acre waterfront park features beaches for sunning, a wind-surfer beach, a boat launch area with docks, a new playground, picnic shelters (some covered), nature trails, a store and a fishing pier.
Blythe Landing, 15901 Highway 73, Huntersville, 704-896-9808.
This 26-acre park offers floating piers and boat launching facilities.

PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS
Lake Norman
Iredell County
Pinnacle Hwy 150, between Mooresville & Terrell. Nine-acre area with 1,035 feet of shoreline. Three concrete boat ramps & one floating loading pier with four slips are available for public use.
Lake Norman State Park, State Park Road, off I-77 at Exit 42, Troutman, 704-528-6350.
1447 acre park offers group and family camping, boating, boat ramps, boat rental, fishing, nature and hiking trails, nature programs, picnicking and public swimming.
Lake Norman Ski Club
Watersports junkies of all kinds are welcome to check out the Lake Norman Ski Club which offers an array of lessons and clinics. http://lakenormanskiclub.8m.com/skier.htm

41. UNDERWATER HOCKEY Ranking right up there with synchronized swimming and curling in the oddity department, underwater hockey is a fast-paced game played on the bottom of a pool. Players push a 3-lb. puck using a foot-long stick. The sport is coed, non-contact and a great workout. For more information contact Dan Goodrich at: daniel.goodrich@atcmail.com

42. TABLE TENNIS Guess what's the most popular indoor sport in the world? It's table tennis. So says John Pahl. And if anyone would know such a thing it's John, who's president of the Charlotte Table Tennis Club. The club currently has about 50 members, representing about 16 different countries, most of whom are nationally rated with the US Table Tennis. The club is having a tournament May 1 at the First Ward Recreation Center, featuring some of the best players in the Southeast. For more information, check out www.USTT.org.

First Ward Recreation Center, 610 E 7th St., 704-336-3375.

Charlotte Table Tennis Club meets Sundays 1:30-5:30pm at the First Ward rec center, 610 East 7th Street, 704-336-2008; and Thursdays from 7:00-10:00pm at 521 District Park Recreation Center, 1401 Ardrey Kell Road, 704-540-2426.

43. PAINTBALL This increasingly popular sport can be enjoyed in Charlotte at a growing number of paintball facilities, including a soon-to-be-open playing park in Rock Hill. Don't mistake paintball as some little hobby for kids. The sport has its own national magazine (Splat), sophisticated equipment-including $1,500 paintball guns — and national competitions with corporate sponsors and big prize money.

CJ's Paintball, 1600-F Matthews-Mint Hill Rd., 704-814-7393 / 18505-A05 Statesville Road, Cornelius, 704-987-5053
UNC Charlotte Paintball
UNC Charlotte Paintball club is dedicated to promoting, educating, and presenting paintball to the UNC Charlotte students and surrounding community. http://www.triple3studios.dhs.org/paintball/
Paintball Central, Tower Plaza Shopping Center, 8700 Pineville-Matthews Rd., Suite 600, 704-752-9774.
Paintball Central is scheduled to open a new state-of-the-art park in June, off I-77 at exit 77 in Rock Hill. For reservations call 1-866-421-PLAY.

44. GET LAID Yes, it's true: Sex really is good for you. Studies have shown that if you have sex three times a week for a year, you'll burn approximately 7,500 calories — the equivalent of running 75 miles. Moreover, the act of sex releases endorphins, which helps diminish pain, improves cholesterol levels and increases circulation. For women, sex triggers the release of oxytocin, which promotes feelings of affection and triggers a nurturing instinct. In men, sex encourages the flow of testosterone, which strengthens bones and muscles and helps transport DHEA, a hormone that may be important in the function of the body's immune system. Unfortunately, we have no contact information for this one — you're on your own.

45. GO TO THE MOVIES In order to get the best workout from your moviegoing experience, adhere to the following rules: Pummel any fool that strolls into the theater more than 10 minutes after the film has started. Smack around any brain-dead parent who takes their underage kid to a movie and allows the tyke to scream, cry and run amok. Finally, feel free to do great bodily harm to anyone who starts chatting on his cell phone during a movie. Chances are the other moviegoers may join you for a healthy group workout.

46. 12-OUNCE CURLS OK, you're not the workout type. No problem. You can still get some exercise while also enjoying one of mankind's favorite flavors. Just open up a can of beer, lift it to your mouth, drink, and then put it down. Now lift it up again, drink, and put it down. Repeat over and over. Cans of beer can be found at numerous stores in the Charlotte area.

47. THE OTTOMAN SHUFFLE This is for the couch potato who simply cannot pull him or herself away from the furniture. You can still get a bit of exercise, however minimal, by this simple method: while you're sitting there, lift both feet off the floor and place on a footstool or ottoman. After awhile, put your feet back on the floor. Repeat as often as you can handle it. Variety is important in exercise, so occasionally prop up only one foot, then the other. You can also cross one ankle over the other for a change and, if you're really into it, you can move the ottoman side to side in order to make your legs stretch a little.

48. VIDEOGAMES Yes, you read that right, videogames. You can never underestimate the value of muscular thumbs and wrists, so feel good playing videogames, knowing your digits (or at least two of them) and your joints (in your body, not your mouth) will be better for it.

49. CIGARETTE LIGHTING Many people underrate the exercise value of lighting up a smoke. Granted, there's not much to it if you're indoors, but the trick is to try it outside, particularly on windy days; you doubters will be singing a different tune then. First, you have to cup your hand around the cigarette, then your neck and knees get a workout from having to move around in various directions to get out of the wind. Hell, often you wind up going around and around! For a real challenge, do what the pros do and use matches instead of a lighter. It can leave you breathless. Cigarettes are readily available in thousands of locations.

50. NAVIGATING SOUTHPARK If you lived in Charlotte way back in the pre-Nordstrom, pre-Cheesecake Factory days of SouthPark, and your sense of direction is anything like mine, then you still can't quite get your bearings when you enter the mall. Every time I think I've figured it out, I invariably end up wandering around lost for a good 20 minutes looking at overpriced women's shoes or getting sprayed by one of the perfume girls. Well, why fight it? Next time you get lost in SouthPark's posh maze, use it as an excuse to walk off some extra pounds — perhaps from that cheesecake you scarfed down.

John Grooms contributed to this story. Contact Sam Boykin at sam.boykin@cln.com