Cheat on Your Gym
Let's be honest. It's spring, the weather is nice, and there are plenty of things you'd rather be doing than hitting the gym. Here are five alternative workouts without the treadmill and barbells.
Belt It Out
100 calories per hour
Singing can burn 102 calories per hour, and what's better than belting out some tunes in your car? Karaoke! At Dixie's Tavern, the fun starts Mondays at 9 p.m. But if drunken college co-eds aren't your thing, try Jackalope Jack's on Thursdays and Saturdays starting at 10:30 p.m. Remember to bring a camera for future blackmail material.
Dixie's Tavern, 301 E. Seventh St., 704-374-1700; Jackalope Jack's, 1936 E. Seventh St.
704-347-1918
Shoot 'Em Up
170 calories per hour
Want to lose weight while filling things with bullets? According to Calorie-Count.com, shooting a pistol burns 170 calories per hour. Visit Starks Training Institute for a firearm-training course, which includes classes on state gun laws and self-defense, as well as on-range training.
Concealed Carry Course, Saturday, May 3, and Tuesday, May 12
www.danstarks.com
Scream It Off
140 calories per hour
If singing burns calories, screaming will shed more. Carowinds, open every weekend this month, has new rides and attractions like Yo Yo and the Bondi Beach wave pool, both of which are a lot more fun than logging miles on a treadmill. An adult day pass is $35.
I-77 and Carowinds Blvd., 704-588-2600
Laugh It Out
100 calories per hour
Recent studies show that fifteen minutes of laughter burns ten to forty calories, so imagine the workout a whole night of laughter could provide. Head to comedy hot spot The Comedy Zone, where new performers are featured every weekend this month, including Brian Cork, Derek Richards, and James Sibley.
$10 a ticket.
11329 Independence Blvd., Matthews
704-845-2211
Groove it Up
200 calories per hour
One hour of two-stepping burns a whopping 200 calories, according to Calorie-Count.com, and dance studios like Temptation Ballroom can help. Try salsa or swing, tango or ballroom for $10 per class (private lessons start at $95).
3722 S. Tryon St., 704-527-1191
