No Gym Required: Take It From This Guy

Monday, May 31, 2010

If you’re a reader of my site – chances are you’re a gym junkie/gym rat… whatever you wish you call it. I’m guilty of this myself. Using the term “guilty” in the same phrase as “going to the gym” may confuse some of you. It’s not a literal translation, but I want your attention. I also want you to stop a minute and think about something really important: Why we actually work out.

And while it may be kind of cool to be the fittest one in your gym, is that really your ultimate goal? I sure hope not. No, we strive to get in shape so we can look good OUTSIDE the gym. Don’t get it twisted here – it’s all good that we want to be in shape year round, I love it too and am all for it. But there are many means of doing so. Not to mention, tomorrow is June! For me, that means less gym time and more fun time – beach weather is here.

Oh, and I am completely revamping my workout and also adjusting my diet starting tomorrow and will post it up here shortly. *Hint hint – it includes less time in the gym while also getting leaner*

See? Working out can be FUN!

This outdoorsy attitude also made me realize that Matthew McConaughey is an excellent fitness role model. While most fitness enthusiasts will insist that the gym is the only place where real Adonis like results can be achieved, actor Matthew McConaughey believes otherwise,a s do I. The ripped actor does not accredit his physique to the typical gym routine. In fact, unless he is prepping for a role where he needs to quickly add muscular size, McConaughey maintains his lean muscle and low body fat levels by performing outdoor activities and calisthenics, as well as regular yoga sessions. Hopefully you read my post on Cardio and making it fun. This ties in hand in hand with that subject matter.

This is proof that you can achieve an amazing looking physique by simply practicing an active lifestyle. America in general, is a very lazy and sedentary population. It sounds so simple, but by just “moving more,” you can burn a ton of additional calories that add up to pounds dropping from the scale.

How McConaughey stays lean year round
Some of McConaughey’s favorite activities include surfing, yoga, cycling, running, and body weight exercises such as pullups and pushups. Mastering body weight exercises will naturally give you a visually stunning physique. Another exercise that isn’t as mainstream as pullups or pushups, but is simply amazing for your shoulders and core strength is the handstand pushup. And I’m not trying to bring down weight training in the least; they both have different advantages and I am a huge advocate of each in their own respect. The key is to find balance between all of your physicalities.

Remember the key to the Hollywood look requires lean muscle and definition, not a bulky overdone look. Circuit training and calisthenics are great ways to maintain this look year round. By surfing, cycling and mountain climbing, McConaughey not only stays in awesome physical shape, he’s also having a blast while doing so! Ladies, check out the body weight circuit and cardio routine Megan Fox used to get in phenomenal shape for Transformers 2.

Diet plays an important role
While exercise is a large factor in getting lean, diet is an even more crucial aspect. What and how much you feed your body will account for the majority of your physical appearance. It is said that diet is 80% of what you will look like, so maintain a diet that suits your physical needs and supports lean muscle maintenance, but not fat gain. McConaughey, along with many of today’s fittest stars, follows a Paleo style of eating which is based around lean meats, fruits and veggies, and cuts out grains and refined sugars.

Conclusion
Matthew McConaughey’s workout seems to be based around a constantly active lifestyle, which means he is burning a lot more calories throughout his daily routine than most people. He also maintains a healthy diet that fuels his lifestyle, but doesn’t go overboard so as to promote fat gain. Because his workout doesn’t have traditional structure to it, it is hard to list specific step by step details.

I would definitely say that with Summer here, you should take heed of the beautiful weather and enjoy life! Eat less and you won’t have to slave away working out to “burn off those calories.” If you don’t eat them in the first place, you can be at the beach staying lean, instead of letting the fun and the sun pass you by!

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Posted in Celebrity Workouts, Healthy Living, Hollywood Fitness Secrets

About the Author

Hey guys, this is Craig Avera and Cesar Flores. We run Hollywood Body Fitness - which is geared toward achieving a lean athletic A-List Physique!

  • http://RelativeStrengthAdvantage.com Yavor

    My philosophy too buddy! I’ve been preparing a bunch of vids of outdoor exercises. More to come!

    Btw – you are a fit role model too (don’t get too cocky now lol!)

    Y.

  • http://leanmeanvirilemachine.com Darrin

    I agree, Matthew has the right idea when it comes to balancing life with being in shape. I almost got a gym membership but decided to stick with the kettlebell, pull up bar, jump rope, and bodyweight exercises at home to maximize my free time this summer.

  • http://hollywoodbodyfitness.com Craig Avera

    Yavor,
    Thanks dude, so are you! And your form is amazing in the new hanging leg raise videos. That pullup bar with the background reminds me of Rocky style training! Awesome man!

    Darrin,
    I was actually considering putting my gym membership on hold as well, but I think I’m going to keep it going, but definitely use it less. Sounds like you have all the equipment you really need though – glad you have the right mindset too!

  • Matt S

    Yeah I love being outside, but I also love a good workout in the gym so for my weight training it will be in the gym but cardio with be replaced with sports for sure during the summer

  • http://hollywoodbodyfitness.com Craig Avera

    Matt,
    Nice – I love em both too. I’ll probably cut my gym sessions back to 3-4x a week full body workouts … the rest sports and outdoor type stuff.

  • http://www.zenmyfitness.com Raymond

    Thanks for the reminder I do get caught up in Gym mode and forget there is an outside life.
    It’s winter here now which doens’t help but anyhow I do my best to “keep it real”

  • http://hollywoodbodyfitness.com Craig Avera

    Raymond,
    “Keep it real” Well said. Especially here in Summer in California, I would be a fool not to take advantage of the gorgeous weather outside! If it’s Winter where you’re at, you have an excuse I guess :) But still, I’m glad you see the advantages of outside fitness!

  • http://www.notyouraveragefitnesstips.com Dave

    Craig,
    I definitely realized the importance of exercise/life balance after my son was born. Spending as little time in the gym as possible but achieving similar results is key. Bodyweight exercises go a long way toward that goal. Completely agree that less time in the gym means more time focused on dieting. Looking forward to hearing your revamped workout and diet.
    Dave

  • http://DeadSimpleDiet.com LD@DSD

    Well said,

    I’m thinking of killing my gym membership for other reasons (read kitchen remodel) but I’m kind of excited to try some new routines.

  • http://hollywoodbodyfitness.com Craig Avera

    Dave,
    I totally admire you for balancing fitness with family. I’m enjoying the bachelor life for sure right now, but eventually my time will come and I’ve seen how hectic things can get! Great job man keeping things balanced.

    LD,
    I love spicing things up in my routine, let me know if you come up with some good ones! And I’ll post mine up here soon as well!

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