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U - CONTACT US THEY SAIDIT UUi> 1AL( i Uo JOSEPH STALIN: “Asingle Story ideas? Questions? Comments? death is a tragedy; a million E-mail us at gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com r4,.\ .. | deaths is a statistic.” GETTING With spring on the way, some Columbia residents are headed to gyms so they can regain their ‘beach bodies’ BY KAMILLE BOSTICK THE GAMECOCK Spring break is nearly upon us, and with the calls of the beaches and warm days, many are, in turn, call ing the local gyms for assistance. Spring is a season of renewal — a chance for new beginnings. For many, it is also a time to polish their physiques by beginning to work on their warm-weather looks. Gone are the bulky sweaters and coats to make way for more light and airy garments. The reason be ing that this season’s latest styles 'can’t be worn with last season’s " flab. Pounds earned throughout the winter are ready to be shed just like layers of clothes. In response, area gyms are al ready filling with fitness and fash ion buffs alike. Their goal: to get toned. Body-shaping classes, cardio workouts, weight lifting, and even tanning beds are the most popular means to achieving the look that best complements spring fashions. Brickhouse Gym owner, l l Toinette Reed, says that there is a noticeable influx of potential spring breakers and re-dedicated New Year’s “resolutioners” into many of the workout classes. “Within the past weeks, we could definitely see a pick-up in clientele. A lot of people are com ing in so that they can get their ‘beach body’ in time for spring break and the summer,” Reed said. It’s the quest for the “beach body,” and the undeniable trend for firmer abs and thighs that brings the masses. For some, cov ering up or staying indoors is not a pleasing alternative, so visiting the gym before visiting the beach or anywhere else is a schedule set in stone. Because the options are nu merous in Columbia - the city has over 10 gyms, including USC’s campus gym and the area YMCAs - it is a difficult decision to decide where to join or exercise. Reed suggests finding a gym that has not only the right equip ment for the chosen workout, but a gym that has a good location. “A membership close to work or home is the best so that you will stay committed. You want some thing nearby or else you won’t go,” Reed said. Regardless of where one has a membership, getting into shape is no easy task. Realistic expecta tions, patience and commitment are essential to reach the level of physical fitness and physical ap pearance desired. With so many workout regimens to choose from, at any number of gyms, finding one to meet individual needs is also a challenge. Reed proposes incorporating weight lifting and cardiovascular workouts about four times a week for about three months to achieve fitness goals. Donna Addy, assistant manag er at The Firm Aerobic Workout, which is known for the choreogra phy of its aerobics classes, agrees. She adds that a good regimen can produce satisfactory results, but that those results take time. “Results can occur within a few weeks, but those results are mini mal. Long-term programs are what have the best effects. The be fore and after, in many cases, is amazing,” Addy said. While there is not much time before spring break, there are still some things that can be done to get a great start on shaping up, slim ming down, or whatever the goal may be. Addy explains that along with the right workout, one key ingre dient, a healthy diet, helps make up a successful fitness plan. “Eating right, especially eating plenty of vegetables and fresh fruit, and eating meats like chick en and fish, and even cutting car bohydrates, will help anyone who is trying to get fit,” said Addy. Sure, this season will come and go, but the results of a good fitness program and a healthy diet will last long after spring break and the warm weather are far gone. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com “Results can occur within a few weeks, but those results are minimal. Long term programs are what have the best effects. The before and after, in many cases, is amazing.” DONNA ADDY ASSISTANT MANAGER AT THE FIRM AEROBIC WORKOUT MOVIE REVIEW | Not your typical sex comedy 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS Starring: Josh Hartnett and Shannyn Sossamon Directed by Michael Lehmann ★ ★ ★ out of ☆☆☆☆* BY ADAM MCALLISTER THE GAMECOCK “American Pie” opened up the floodgates for the no-brainier sex comedies of the post ’90s. These films, peppered with fresh-faced stars such as Freddie Prinze Jr. and Chris Klein, came in and lowered the bar for many moviegoers. The tired hackneyed typical plot most likely is as follows - Guy is lonely. Guy does something crazy. Guy meets girl. Guy falls in love with girl. Previous actions come back to haunt guy. Screwball antics ensue. And, as most know, this outline is not much different these days, as it is currently showcased in Miramax’s “40 Days and 40 Nights.” In “40 Days and 40 Nights,” we hop into the days of trendy 20 somethings as they live then trendy lives in a trendy city. This time our hero is Matt Sullivan (Josh Hartnett, “Pearl Harbor,” “The Virgin Suicides”), a web designer in San Francisco. After an all too rough break up and in an attempt to forget his ex, he makes the “ultimate sacrifice” for the religious sacrament of Lent. This sacrifice is to deprive himself of any and PHOTO SPECIAL OF THE GAMECOCK Shannyn Sossamon and Josh Hartnett In “40 Days and 40 Nights,” directed by Michael Lehmann. all sexual activity for 40 day and nights. The task, as difficult as it appears on the surface, is only worsened by his friends and peers, who, upon knowledge of this personal gamble, up the stakes by placing their own money in a betting pool and try to predict the date of his failure. In addition to his insurgent associates, Matt also happens upon the girl of his dreams, Erica (Shannyn Sossamon, “A Knight’s Tale”), a cliche meeting common in many films that finds no exception here. To only make matters worse, Matt’s now engaged ex gets wind of his wager and sets out to single handedly end the bet herself. Now, with his pledge on the line and a future relationship in jeopardy, Matt must decide whether or not to give in to temptation or stick it out for his morals. “40 Days and 40 Nights” may sound like a typical sex, or no sex, comedy with a twist, but it does well to steer just clear of that exhausted territory. Director Michael Lehmann, the man behind such films as “Airheads” and “The Truth About Cats and Dogs,” combines an obvious knowledge of film and television styles to bring a hip, free-flowing feel to this feature. He treats Rob Perez’ source material - rumored to have stemmed from a similar autobiographical situation - with the lighthearted ambiance ♦ 40 DAYS, SEE PAGE 8 Classic tragedy gets technological twist BY VANESSA CAOILE THE GAMECOCK Ever wonder what it would be like to combine a classic tragedy with technology? Well, now you have the chance to ex perience it. USC Theater will present a modern production of the classic Greek tragedy “Antigone” starting tonight and running through March 9. Written by Sophocles more than 2,000 years ago, “Antigone” is the story of a young woman whose love and loyalty for her father force her to act against the laws of soci ety. The play, the continuation of “Oedipus Rex,” begins right after the death of Antigone’s father, King Oedipus. Her two brothers kill each other in a battle over their father’s king dom. Creon, their uncle, takes control of the kingdom and or ders one of his nephews be giv en a proper burial. The other nephew, however, is denied burial because Creon believes it will be just punishment for a man who was a traitor to his country. Antigone, the loyal sister, believes this is unfair and attempts his burial by her self, disobeying her uncle and putting her own life in jeop ardy. Guest director Jay Berkow ♦ ANTIGONE, SEE PAGE 6 PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK Michael Kroeker, left, as Creon and Marcella Kearns, as Antigone in USC Theater's production of “Antigone.”