Thursday, December 31, 2015

Matt Bomer: All In!

Doug Inglish
Matt Bomer
Our Jan/Feb cover guy talks style, nutrition, and staying fit.
Matt Bomer in Men's Fitness Jan/Feb 2016

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a preview-only version of Matt Bomer's cover story in the JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 issue of Men's Fitness. For the full story including exclusive content, download the app >>>

There’s a canyon at the end of a dusty lane off the I-5 freeway, down some lonely roads built to access landfills and water treatment plants, where Greater Los Angeles ends and America begins. Here, through some iron gates and down a hill lined with hedges, is a portal to a land of pickups and full-brimmed caps, where old men wearing tan vests stuffed with ammunition openly carry shotguns, where not one but two giant stuffed grizzly bears greet visitors in a dark lobby, and where the sounds of live fire echo off the sandstone walls. This would be a terrible place to steal a car stereo. Or wear a Bernie Sanders shirt. And into this scene arrives a man in a black luxury station wagon, wearing very stylish jeans, a snug green Henley, and a 49ers cap that is well cared for. 

“Aren’t you on TV?” asks a clerk inside the pro shop of the Oak Tree Gun Club, in Newhall, CA, from behind a counter where visitors can purchase or rent various firearms. Matt Bomer nods and smiles. “I am,” he says. Celebrity sightings do not seem to be a regular occurrence at Oak Tree; unlike basically everywhere else in Greater Los Angeles, there’s no wall of fame of signed head shots, at least that I can see.

“I hate to ask you this,” the clerk replies, “but my wife and I love your show, and she would kill me if I don’t get a picture.” He gives his phone to a colleague, hunches in close to the star of the megahit American Horror Story: Hotel—as well as the films Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL—and then gives us a very quick instructional on safe handling of a .22 Ruger pistol, which Bomer selected by name from a wall of handguns. “It’s the assassin’s choice,” he tells me. “You’ll see why when you fire it.” 

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Bomer, it turns out, has some experience with firearms. “I’ve been handling guns since I was a kid,” he says, out on the trap range a little later, popping a shell into a 12-gauge Dickinson shotgun. “I got a .30-30 for Christmas in the seventh grade. It wasn’t what I asked for, by the way. And it wasn’t my only present.” It was a gift from his father, a conservative Christian and avid hunter who “clears the decks for deer season.”

Bomer was born outside St. Louis but spent his formative years in Texas. He reckons he was “somewhere around 8” when his father first introduced him to guns. As a kid, he hunted birds and ducks but hasn’t shot at anything live in years. “It’s nothing that I’ve elected to do in my adult life,” he says. “In Texas, it’s a way for men to bond together. I was down with that when I lived there, and I haven’t really done it since.” 

He’s not sure when he first handled a firearm on a set. It could have been on Guiding Light, the soap he starred on for a little more than a year in the early 2000s. “I know I killed several people on that show,” he says, but decides that most, if not all, of those murders occurred offscreen. Probably, then, it was the 2006 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, in which he is murdered by Leatherface in extravagant style—“He strung me up for a while, and then he knocked me out and carried me to the basement, strapped me up, partially skinned me alive, then gutted me with a chain saw.” This gratuitous death wasn’t without purpose. “Leatherface becomes Leatherface with my face.”

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Bomer aims the gun over the top of the wooden trap and yells, “Pull!” causing a neon-yellow clay target to shoot across the range. He fires. It shatters. For someone who hasn’t shot at a bird, real or fake, in eons, he’s pretty good, hitting four out of five clays in his first round. “City boys out in the country!” he hollers. When one shot of mine barely nicks a target, he gives me encouragement. “If you hit it at all, you’ve killed the bird.” Bomer takes the gun and pats me on the back. “If that were the case, we’d be going home with some dinner.”

When the ammo is exhausted, we go in search of lunch, but in Oak Tree’s cafĂ©, the air is heavy with fryer oil. I suggest we try elsewhere. 

“Probably a good idea,” Bomer says, looking around. “I have to be naked on camera at 9 a.m. for a love scene with Lady Gaga. So maybe it’s not a good time for, like, french fries.”

Get the full story: Download the digital edition of the Men's Fitness January/February 2016 Issue, available now at mensfitness.com/gettheissue.










Avoid Fitness Faux Pas With These 10 Tips From an International Etiquette Expert

Now that the holidays are over, many of us will be heading back to the gym to burn calories, strengthen our core and start the New Year. Whether you're an exercise newbie, fitness buff, or seasoned athlete, it's important to recognize that the exercise and fitness community have subtle etiquette.

For example, swimmers coexist in close proximity in lap lanes, pacing and passing smoothly without saying a word. Cyclists worldwide not only maneuver among cars, they also share the road with each other - communicating with phrases and gestures that are as much a part of their community as their bikes and helmets.

So why has so much been written in recent years about the etiquette challenges in our fitness facilities? We have all had experiences that we have gone home and talked about, from overly friendly co-exercisers to embarrassing perspirational moments. Even personal trainers admit it can be an intimidating experience to return to the gym. Whether you are an exercise novice or a fitness buff, avoid a gym faux pas. We've put together our top 10 tips to ease your re-entry and make it just that much more enjoyable for you and your fellow gym members.

1. Fitness Attire. Be sure your athletic attire covers what needs to be covered and fits properly. Certain barre, core strength, and Pilate's exercises require work on a bench or the floor. Be sure that bottoms are not so loose as to be revealing when you are bending over or prone. Be sure running and cycling pants do not become see-through when the fabric is stretched tight. Wear a proper sports bra and clean athletic shoes. Learn the fitness facility boundaries for sport-specific athletic shoes, such as spin shoes.

2. Fragrance Fail. Don't forget antiperspirant. Avoid perfume and heavy make-up while working out. If a fellow exerciser's fragrance is overwhelming, visit with the front desk, email the club, or slip a note in the suggestion box. Arrive clean and wearing clean clothes, not covered in golden retriever fur from bathing your dog!

3. Explore the Facility. Before your first set, explore. Returning to the gym? Learn the layout to increase your self-confidence and create mental energy. Walk around like one of the 'regulars' who knows the answers to the following questions: day care options, services offered, hours most crowded, location of towel and antibacterial wipes, water, and restrooms.

4. Introductory Session. Be honest and ask yourself: Do I know what I am doing? If you are unsure about the equipment or how to get started, one of the best things you can do is hire a personal trainer for a few sessions to get started in the right direction. Don't feel obligated to enroll for a yearlong class. Keep in mind that the vast majority of personal trainers do not offer free sessions.

5. Noise. Remember, people are there to focus on their workout--and they don't appreciate distractions. Keep the personal music in your earbuds tuned to an acceptable level so that only you enjoy the music. People focusing on their routines do not appreciate singing, karaoke, personal smartphone conversations, or loud discussions in the fitness facility.

6. Respect. The only person who should correct another's form is a personal trainer or a gym employee. Working out is a great place to meet people; however it is not a singles club. If you wish to mingle, wait for a cue (such as a shared smile) to strike up a conversation. Don't be a bore and overshare how well, or poorly, you are doing with your workout or diet. Too many people go on for too long when discussing diet or fitness. For long gab sessions, invite your friend to go grab a coffee after your workout.

7. Mirrors. Many people watch themselves in the mirror to monitor form and execution. If a weight or machine is in front of someone performing a set, it is polite to wait for them to finish. Avoid selfies, primping, and preening in front of the mirrors--you don't want to be known around the gym as that guy or girl.

8. Perspiration & Anti-bacterial Wipes. Make an effort to wipe the equipment before you sit down and when you finish, regardless of whether you perspired. Many fitness facilities provide anti-bacterial wipes or towels to wipe down mats and machines when finished, especially at the end of a class!

9. Share. Cooperation is the key here. While resting between sets, avoid lounging like a lizard on the machine. Allow others to work into your sets, and ask politely if you wish to 'work in.' Return equipment such as BOSU balls, mats, and bands. Unload weight bars and re-rack free weights--leaving weights on the floor is unsafe and may cause others to trip. Don't hog the machines--limit exercise on cardio equipment to 30 minutes during peak hours. Turn off any electrical equipment that you used such as the elliptical TV, lights in the BMI room, or portable fans.

10. Locker Rooms. Since this is shared space for a large numbers of people, don't drape your personal items all over the bench while you're changing. Place clothing directly in your locker or gym bag. Be sure your cell phone is turned off or to 'silent' when you are in the gym or exercising (including when placed in the locker). Remember to clean cosmetics from the counter. And the biggest locker room faux pas of all--don't walk around naked; the majority of people feel a little uncomfortable being so close to someone who is baring it all!

Minding your gym manners will help with your fitness goals and confidence in the New Year. We like to think we're not only exercising our muscles, but also exercising the kind of manners that make the gym a better place for everyone.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.











Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Fit Fix: Watch This Hoverboard Knock Out Mike Tyson in Seconds

@miketyson / Instagram
Hoverboard KOs Tyson
Buster Douglas took 10 rounds to do that.
Mike Tyson falls down, goes boom.

Hoverboard Idiocy, Part 1: It took Buster Douglas 10 rounds to do it, but this little piece of battery-powered plastic on two wheels knocked Mike Tyson to the floor in seconds. #DownGoesTyson

 

#hoverboard #knockout #MikeTysonBreaksBack #imtoooldforthisshit @getcyboard

A video posted by Mike Tyson (@miketyson) on

 

Hoverboard Idiocy, Part 2: Maybe Mike Tyson should take lessons from the Rev. Albert San Jose, a Filipino priest who manages to move forward, backward, and spin—all while singing—during Christmas Eve mass. The only downside: He was suspended by the local diocese, which frowned upon the stunt as a way to "capriciously introduce something to get the attention of the people." [The Guardian]

"Drunk and Disappointed": Not really a fan of New Year's Eve parties? Neither is Jennifer Lawrence, who apparently loathes the unofficial holiday of champagne and kitchy sunglasses. "I’ve never had a good one," she said during an interview for Thursday's episode of The Graham Norton Show, according to People. "Everyone’s chasing a good time and it’s always a disappointment ... I always end up drunk and disappointed." Sound familiar? [People]

For All You Hardcore Nerd Bros: Some wonderful wizard out there has created Unofficial Quidditch Pong, the perfect way to amplify/ruin your childhood love for Harry Potter with your newfound love of cheap beer and ping-pong balls covered in frat-house basement grime. (We call Katie Bell on our team!) [Mashable]

First Look at The Punisher: Marvel's infamous vigilante—and inspiration for all those skull shirts you see at the gym—is making his first appearance in season 2 of Netflix's Daredevil series, per new photos released through Entertainment Weekly. [EW]

"Time to Make a Change": The Philadelphia Eagles fired Chip Kelly Tuesday night before the team's home finale, after the mastermind of Oregon's warp-speed offense delivered three underwhelming seasons at the helm. [CBS Sports]










Now You Can Watch LeBron James Hit the Gym in 360-Degree Video

LeBron in 360
King James hits the gym in "Striving for Greatness."
LeBron James in "Striving for Greatness" for Oculus VR.
 

I was born with God given talent, but I PROMISE you that when the bright lights go down I am grinding it out and working...

Posted by LeBron James on Wednesday, September 23, 2015

 

What's better than watching LeBron James hit the gym for the training routine of a champion?

How about watching it as if you were right there in the gym?

Enter Striving for Greatness, a new short movie from Oculus, the game-changing company behind the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, and UNINTERRUPTED, Bleacher Report's bare-bones video series featuring superjocks talking into iPhone cameras. (Scroll around inside the video to take advantage of the full 360-degree view.)

Produced by the niche VR specialists at Felix & Paul Studios for the Oculus Rift and Samsung's VR package, Striving for Greatness follows the pride of Akron as he prepares for his 13th NBA season by ripping through hanging knee raises, honing his technique under the basket, and doing yoga. (Yes! LeBron James does yoga!)

The trailer dropped on Christmas during the Cavs-Warriors game, and if this Facebook trailer is any indication, the VR format will be utterly transformational for more than just video games.

"I understand I was born with God-given talent," James says over some hip-hop synth. "But I work my ass off, I work my tail off, every single day. And not when you guys see it, when the lights are on.... I'm there in the gym, actually putting in the work, and trying to improve."

The new Oculus Rift is set to debut in early 2016, but Samsung owners can get an early look by plunking down $99 for the Gear VR headset, which transforms the Galaxy or Note phones into VR headsets. Check out the below commercial, "Let's Go to Work," featuring Samsung's VR tech.










The Most Popular App the Day After Christmas

#1 App
Find out which fitness-related one topped the charts on Christmas.

It looks like a lot of people took our Gift Guide to heart—at least when it comes to a certain wearable fitness tracker.

The FitBit app surged to the top spot on the App Store’s “free app” charts on the day after Christmas, as just about every iPhone user who found one of the popular fitness trackers in their stockings downloaded the digital companion for the company’s suite of fitness trackers.

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The app held strong several days, too, staying at the top of the Health and Fitness chart and near the peak of the Free chart, which includes heavy hitters like Instagram and YouTube. The app pairs with the company’s full suite of fitness trackers, from the minimalist Zip to the flagship Surge.

Investors took note of all those downloads and sales, too: FitBit’s stock jumped by around 5% before the market opened Monday morning, and then again pre-Tuesday trading, before settling down by midday. It’s good news for FitBit, the market leader in fitness wearables, with around 22% of the market share internationally.

And if you’re one of the people who unboxed a FitBit this holiday, get a jump on your New Year’s resolutions with the 30-day Dare to Do More routine from celebrity trainer Dolvett Quince.










Here's Why Conspiracy Theories Are for Dunces

Conspiracies for Dunces
Here's why only a fool thinks the moon landings were faked.

Believe the Apollo moon landings were faked? That 9/11 was an inside job? Congratulations! A new study shows you’ll believe, well...just about anything.

And no wonder: Italian researchers exploring the world of conspiracy theories via public Facebook posts and a clever algorithm found that conspiracy theorists got their news from, and interacted with, only “alternative” sites, believing that anything mainstream was simply part of the conspiracy.

One of the most revealing findings in the study, published in PLoS One, was that conspiracy theorists couldn’t distinguish between actual conspiracy news items and 4,000-plus false conspiracy items—about Viagra-laden chemtrails, for example—that the researchers created.

Conspiracy theories are “formulated to convey general paranoia,” says the study’s Walter Quattrociocchi, Ph.D. We’d still like to get to the bottom of the Kennedy assassination, though. One bullet? Bullshit.

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Get Tanked (You'll Feel Better)

Get Tanked
Here's one weird way a fish can boost your mood.

You can almost imagine scientists’ delighted squeals when the United Kingdom’s National Marine Aquarium announced its 2014 plan to empty its monstrous 550,000-liter tank, refurbish it, and restock it with bounteous new species of fish. Knowing that exposing humans to “green space” like parks and gardens can lower blood pressure, fight stress, and lift depression, the researchers realized it was the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to talk almost 200 people into staring at a fish tank for months to see how it affected them.

Actually, it was a pretty cool experiment: For a few minutes one to three times a week for 10 months, subjects observed the tank empty (just seaweed, coral, and water), semistocked, and, finally, fully fished-up. And though even “fishless,” it had a calming effect, the more fish they added, the longer subjects watched—and, consequently, the lower their blood pressure dropped and the happier they felt. 

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It takes just five minutes to feel the fishy effects, the Plymouth/Exeter study found, and, says the aquarium’s Deborah Cracknell, even “small home aquariums may very well provide well-being benefits.” 

Live fish not in your future? Take a break with a deep-sea screen saver. 

5 Ways Stress Is Wrecking Your Workout >>>