These sites make me want to run around like a hyperactive chicken playing soccer with its own freshly severed head. May they inspire you to get unthinkable feats of athletic daring as well!

Punkrope.com
More organized than a mosh pit, but no less sweaty. Punk Rope is an awesome concept in group fitness created by New York City punker Tim Haft. Classes feature punk music, rope jumping and creative conditioning drills. And really, have you ever seen a fat punker? Debuted to rave reviews at the Embarcadero YMCA in San Francisco and hopefully coming soon to a gym near you.

Koifitness.com
A fantastic outdoor, bootcamp-style fitness program (and I’m not just saying that because I’m one of their instructors). With every six-week session they will access where you are and then push you someplace better. This is a sweet program for people who hate the gym, love to be challenged and like working out with similarly insane people. Classes offered year round.

Abada.org
Capoeira was created by Brazilian slaves and combines dancing and fighting into something entirely better. We should all do something so magnificent with our oppression. This cool den of capoeira features classes of all levels including capoeira-based bootcamps and private lessons. An incredible workout, especially if you are looking to unite strength and flexibility.

Ymcasf.org/Embarcadero
The gym I call home, my local YMCA. This gym has everything you could want, plus ocean views and a cool, non-judgmental vibe.

Active.com
Everyone’s favorite mega-sports site. The place to come after you have downed a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and want to sign up for a race to make yourself feel less disgusting.

Sports4good.org
What a great idea! Sporty people getting to play the sports they love while benefiting great causes. Leagues are continually forming and they are always looking for new players.

Shovelglove.com
“That’s when it occurred to me: What I needed was a shovel with a weight attached to it, and a fuzzy glove to keep it from scratching the floors or killing the cat.” Intrigued? Check out the coolest fitness equipment you can buy at Home Depot.

Stumptuos.com
Like most things Canadian, this site is friendly, witty and smart. The focus is on women’s strength training and Stumptous is chock full of inspirational stories and fitness information geared toward the fairer and (soon to be) buffer sex.

Swimplan.com
There are very few things in life that could not be improved upon with a bit more planning. Tell swimplan.com about yourself and your swimming proclivities and it will use its wizardry to generate countless personalized workouts. If you’re like me, you can also use the site to archive your favorite workouts and as a springboard for aquatic shopping sprees. (Waterproof temporary piranha tattoos anyone?). Feels so good to have a plan!

Trainforstrength.com
What’s truly amazing about the human body is its ability to both give and receive vast amounts of pleasure and pain. This site focuses on treating yourself to a whole lotta pain. Do what they suggest and you will be one lean, mean, powerful sucker.

Power-systems.com
A veritable candy store for trainers and fitness enthusiasts. They have just about everything you can think of related to working out, and probably a lot of things you haven’t thought of yet.

Bodyresults.com
Call your mountain and then call (or e-mail) Courtney. She specializes in getting people ready for outdoor sports and adventures. Body Results offers personal training (via email if you don’t live in Seattle) and the website is loaded with practical articles and exercise demonstrations. As an aside, I used her as an e-coach when training for the fire fighter’s academy. Courtney helped me to get into great shape and she answered all my questions big and small (Sadly, she could not teach me how to drive a fire engine or put on a breathing apparatus). This is goal-oriented fitness at its best.

Ronjones.org
A veritable encyclopedia of exercises and most entries include photos and instructions. With Ron on the job, there is absolutely no excuse for doing another boring crunch.

Russiankettlebells.com
Kettlebell master and all-around badass dude Pavel Tsatsouline shows you how to use kettlebells to get super strong. Kettlebells are like cannonballs with handles and are the antidote to silly nautilus-type machines. Pavel is scary in a good way and happy to separate the comrades from the sissies.