50 Ways to Leave Your Blubber 

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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.