Workouts

Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, whose weight and conditioning were scrutinized during his first season in Baltimore, attended this week's organized team activities and has been a regular participant in the team's offseason program for most of the past few weeks. “He's been working really hard,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He's been out here most of the time and conditioning has been a fair amount of a priority. He's done a good job. We'll just have to see how he does.” McKinnie, who is listed at 360 pounds, doesn't appear to have packed on additional pounds since last season.

Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, whose weight and conditioning were scrutinized during his first season in Baltimore, attended this week's organized team activities and has been a regular participant in the team's offseason program for most of the past few weeks. “He's been working really hard,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He's been out here most of the time and conditioning has been a fair amount of a priority. He's done a good job. We'll just have to see how he does.” McKinnie, who is listed at 360 pounds, doesn't appear to have packed on additional pounds since last season.

Ravens offensive tackle Jared Gaither will report to the team's voluntary offseason workout program Monday. Gaither said this on his Twitter account, and a league source later confirmed it. Ravens coach John Harbaugh expressed his disappointment with Gaither's absence in talking to reporters Tuesday. Apparently, the message got through to Gaither. A restricted free agent, Gaither will earn $2.3 million this season, but he has yet to sign his tender. He is seeking a long-term deal.

The Ravens began organized team activities Tuesday, marking the first time this offseason that the team's rookies have been on the practice field with veterans. These workouts at the team's facility in Owings Mills are optional for veterans, though I'm sure coach John Harbaugh hopes all of them will be in attendance. The OTAs will continue into June, setting the table for next month's mandatory minicamp. Media is allowed to watch practice at the OTAs the next three Wednesdays and for all of the mandatory minicamp, which is June 12-14.

A winning football team is finally coming to Towson University. It’s the Ravens -- well, 20 or so of the team's players -- who will be holding unofficial workouts on Towson’s campus later this month. Veteran receiver Derrick Mason organized the workouts so Ravens players in the area can stay sharp during the NFL lockout. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter , as many as 25 players will join Mason for “offseason workouts, training and conditioning” at Towson on May 24-26.

When at least 20 Ravens players take the field at Towson University next week for informal workouts organized by wide receiver Derrick Mason, the Ravens will join the growing list of teams whose players decided to practice on their own during the NFL lockout. These workouts have become a hot topic. There is concern among some teams and some players about the injury risk involved when players are taking part in football drills away from team supervision . If a player suffers a serious injury now, it would be considered a “non-football injury,” which means it puts his contract in jeopardy after the lockout.

Ravens' offseason voluntary workouts got started this morning with quarterback Joe Flacco in the building but as expected, without Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice . Rice, who isn't expected to attend offseason activities as his agent negotiates a long-term deal with the Ravens, may not be participating in strength and conditioning workouts, but he didn't remain entirely silent today. In a message posted on his Twitter feed, Rice said: "To all college athletes getting ready to enter the NFL just remember the business side of the league is rough #fact.

What's the best way for you to exercise? Well, that depends, say the authors of Zodiaction, a book that bills itself as "the first-ever workout program based on your astrological sign." Authors Ellen Barrett and Barrie Dolnick reason that millions of people seek guidance from horoscopes in their personal lives, so why not when exercising? The book breaks down the best workouts -- and the ones to avoid -- for each sign. It's clearly female-centric, too, but for what it's worth, here's a quick spin through the Zodiac wheel: Aries (March 21-April 19)

After a week of workouts designed primarily for the pitchers and catchers, the Orioles will hold their first full-squad workout Monday at the Ed Smith Stadium spring training complex. Manager Buck Showalter said Sunday that the workouts probably won't be in full gear until Tuesday, however, since the medical staff will be completing physicals early Monday and the coaches will need some time to lay out the training routine for the position players. Showalter was scheduled to assemble the entire team Sunday night for an introductory get-together and team-building exercise.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Ted Higuera, who was impressive in two workouts for the Orioles and who told manager Phil Regan he would return to training camp, has changed his mind.Higuera's agent told Regan yesterday that the pitcher is uncomfortable with the idea of working out with the Orioles during the players strike, and would remain in Mexico until a labor agreement is reached.Regan said he hopes Higuera changes his mind again. "It would be a great chance for him to work with us," Regan said.

Texas kicker Justin Tucker was one of a handful of players who attended this weekend's rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. During Sunday's practice, he booted all four of his field-goal attempts from inside the 55-yard line between the uprights, but was unsuccessful on two kicks from beyond that distance. Harbaugh said Tucker “had a very good camp” and that he was impressed by Tucker's accuracy and the lift he got on his kicks. The team didn't announce any new signings Sunday, but it's expected that Tucker will stick with the Ravens through the rest of their offseason workouts.

The Ravens won't know the extent of Terrell Suggs' Achilles tendon injury until Tuesday, but they are prepared to be without their top pass rusher and the reigning NFL's Defensive Player of the Year for a good part - if not all - of the 2012 season. Suggs tore his Achilles last Saturday during a workout in Arizona. He'll see noted foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson on Tuesday in North Carolina to find out the severity of the tear and to have it surgically repaired. “I've already been to see two different doctors.

Some of the newest fitness classes around Maryland involve warrior drills based on "The Hunger Games"books and practicing the downward dog yoga pose on a paddleboard in the middle of a lake. Others take a twist on conventional aerobics classes from the Jane Fonda era - SPRI Step360 is the latest incarnation of the step class. Then there are the ones that combine elements of other classes, such as piloxing, a combination of kickboxing and the ab-focused Pilates workout. The classes are the latest ways gyms are trying to keep people inspired with fresh workouts that take a page from pop culture trends and offer a new challenge.

Meet Emily Savopoulos and the educators at Clarksville middle school in Howard County who get in a little exercise after classes. Type of workout: Full body workout: upper body, lower body, cardio, weight training, balance, etc. Who's in the group: The group varies from five die-hard participants to a full classroom. The age range varies, but the core members of the group are in their 40s and 50s. When they do it: Monday through Friday after classes are over for 40-60 minute sessions.

It's going to be interesting on draft day when the New York Jets are on the clock at No. 16, and then again before the Pittsburgh Steelers select at No. 24. According to several reports, the Jets want to select Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw and the Steelers like Crimson Tide inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower. Who doesn't? So, I imagine there will be some tense moments for general manager Ozzie Newsome and his staff Thursday night because either of these players could have a significant impact on the Ravens.

The Ravens routinely work out free agents even if there is no definitive interest or positional need, but it certainly isn't a regular occurrence for a player once considered their franchise quarterback to return to the team's facility and audition for a job. That will happen Thursday as Kyle Boller, a former first-round pick who was a lightning rod for fan discontent during his five-seasons as a Ravens' quarterback, will be one of three veteran...

The thought of trying to sweat in the heat and humidity can keep some people on the couch. Here are ways to make hot-weather workouts more appealing: * Pick a good time. Exercise in the early morning or evening, when temperatures are cooler. A recent study by London researchers showed people do best in the morning in hot conditions, because their core body temperature starts out lower. * ... and place. Look for shaded, grassy areas rather than hot pavement, especially if you work out midday.

Gregg Olson joined the informal off-season workout program at Camden Yards yesterday, but it's too early to speculate about the closer's return to the Orioles.It also would be a mistake to assume that he is a candidate to report to spring training without a resolution to the baseball strike.The Orioles have extended invitations to former players who are free agents and not associated with other clubs to use the team's facilities for winter preparations. "We extended an invitation to Gregg out of courtesy to him, just as we did to Jim Poole, Mark Williamson and Jeff Tackett," said assistant general manager Frank Robinson.

Ravens' offseason voluntary workouts got started this morning with quarterback Joe Flacco in the building but as expected, without Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice . Rice, who isn't expected to attend offseason activities as his agent negotiates a long-term deal with the Ravens, may not be participating in strength and conditioning workouts, but he didn't remain entirely silent today. In a message posted on his Twitter feed, Rice said: "To all college athletes getting ready to enter the NFL just remember the business side of the league is rough #fact.

The Ravens will start their offseason workout program Monday and, as usual, the bigger story will probably be who isn't there, rather than who is. That's how it is this time of year, even though the workouts are strictly voluntary and the Ravens won't have their first mandatory veteran minicamp until June. So when running back Ray Rice doesn't show up - and that's certainly the expectation - there will undoubtedly be plenty of attention paid to his absence by fans and the media.