Your average weekend is spent watching back-to-back episodes of 24, Entourage or (or is that and?) Lost.

You need to get out more!

Get in touch with real life ... run the roads, see the sights, explore the world around you. But before you do, bring these four items:

1. BEAT THE BUGS - Tie on this paisley bandana, treated with an odorless insect repellent. Mosquitos and flies buzz off, letting you enjoy the scenery. $12; ExOfficio.com

2. BLAZE A TRAIL - The GPS-enabled Forerunner 405 ensures you find your way -- plus heart rate, speed and more, which you can download to your computer. $300; Garmin.com

3. ID YOURSELF - All your in-case-of-emergency info gets engraved on the Shoe Pouch ID's outer tag. You can stash cash, a credit card and keys inside. $20; RoadID.com

4. BE PREPARED - Bites, cuts and other ailments are no match for the on-the-go first aid items in the Ultralight & Watertight 3. $11; AdventureMedicalKits.com

Don't just stop there. Try your hand at canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking or archery. Or just walk, relax and take it all in.

Before you go back to TV.

Men: It's Sin City... do you know where your women are? If not, you might want to check out a class called "Stripper 101" or who knows maybe you want to sign them up.

The class is held in a theater at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (formerly the Aladdin), and has become so popular that it's now offered daily.

Approximately a dozen or so women, every day, from their 20s to 50s enthusiastically learn how to do a striptease. It's a sweat-inducing low impact aerobic workout designed to instill a positive body image and increase self-confidence, while developing a strong sense of sensuality.

The mantra: Grab Life by the Pole!

The fact is that you won't burn a ton of calories but it is still an exotic dancing workout that involves lunges, squats, kicks, and stretches that will reach all of the major muscle groups.

It's not for everyone: some women even find the whole concept demeaning, but for the most part I'm all for trying new things. Who knows you may just end up feeling more sexy and liberated (no matter what shape or size you are), and honestly isn't that what the class is all about? The cost is $40-$60 and includes a drink (which you will probably need).

The best part: Each woman walks away with a "stripper's license".

In short, this souvenir is sure to become the toast of your trip. A little better than those commemorative shot glasses you just bought.

From SWEAT SPOT written by Anna K. Clemmons for ESPN Magazine July 2008

The Jock: Greg Oden
The Workout: Resisted defensive slide
The Benefit: Boosts balance and strength

For a guy who has yet to see a minute of NBA action, former No. 1 pick Greg Oden sure has kept our attention. And the spotlight will only be brighter when he finally makes his debut with the Blazers in the fall. With that kind of extended buildup, he'd better be ready to go. Oden has been working hard to get back into game shape as he continues to rehab his right knee, which underwent microfracture surgery last September. In the resisted defensive slide, personal trainer Robb Rogers loops rubber bands around Oden's waist and upper thigh. As the big man takes lateral strides -- crossing one foot over the other, as he does on the court -- Rogers pulls on the bands, forcing Oden to use his core and leg muscles to stay balanced. The exercise emphasizes coordination and strength as well as proper alignment of the legs. "I'm mindful of everything I do to make sure I don't kill my knee," Oden says. After all, it's going to have to support the weight of his seven-foot frame -- and of all our expectations.

If you won a spot in the NYC Marathon, and haven't already started training, I probably don't have to tell you that you need to get your ass moving. On November 2, 2008 there will be over 40,000 entrants, of which, approximately 4,098 business professionals will be at the starting line. According to the New York Road Runners Club, that number includes 1,267 analysts, 1,221 bankers, and 288 C.E.O.’s.

Why is that so important: Well ... because corporate runners may have an edge.

What do they do to get that edge? What comes naturally, of course: They invest — in specialized trainers and gear.

If you want that same edge, here's what you can expect to pay:

• Heart-rate monitors: One Polar RS800G3 and one Timex Ironman watch: $610

• Drinks: Gatorade Endurance Formula: $400

• Jerseys: Twenty Coolmax Dri-Fit shirts, plus a custom team jersey: $500

• Shorts: Twelve pairs of Nike Dri-Fit shorts: $480

• Socks: Twenty-four pairs of Adidas Ultra Tech running socks: $192

• Running shoes: Three pairs of New Balance 902 sneakers: $300

• Training-site membership: $1,800

• Personal Trainers: $4,050 (based on 18-weeks of training)

Total cost: $8,332

Bottom line: Race day is November 2. That means if you get your gear and start training today, you’ll still be able to get in kick-butt shape by runners-take-your-marks time.

To my surprise, Bigger, Stronger, Faster* was a fascinating, informative, entertaining account of the American 'enhancement' culture. Something I didn't expect.

Blending comedy and sincerity, BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER* is a collision of pop culture, animated sequences and first-person narrative, with a diverse (and entertaining) cast. At its heart, this is the story of director Christopher Bell and his two brothers, who grew up idolizing muscular giants like Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and who went on to become members of the steroid-subculture in an effort to realize their American dreams.

The miracle of Bigger, Stronger, Faster is not Bell's low-key investigative reporting but rather his ability to convince the audience -- without preaching -- that the argument over steroids is neither easy nor cut-and-dried. With it's hilarious archival footage and priceless family revelations, as well as interviews with congressmen (who have not a clue), professional athletes, medical experts, and everyday gym rats. The power of the film is the way Bell stays away from preconceptions and stereotypes and digs deeper to find the truth and concoct a fascinating, humorous, and poignant profile of one of the side effects, not of steroids, but of being American.

This film will engage you, not just while it's playing, but also long after it's over.

If you don't already read ESPN Magazine, well ... you should! If for nothing else, turn to page 2, they have this amazing little monthly titled 'SWEAT SPOT' which gives you a blogger sized article listing a Jock, a Workout and The Benefit (of said workout) ... it's usually a killer move that a dedicated athlete does to amp up their performance. Something we can all do, but just didn't think of.

Lucky for you: I found one online! Check out World Cup Skier Julia Mancuso (pictured above) in this SWEAT SPOT.

Photo by Marco Garcia for ESPN