No more than two hours east of Atlanta, Georgia, the sprawling waterfront golf-club community at Reynolds Lake Oconee is a year-round haven for the outdoor enthusiast. With 12,000 acres of lakefront property, boating, fishing, and water sports fill the warmest days; while mild, sunny winters lend themselves to teeing off at one of the property’s six golf courses or an afternoon of shooting clay pigeons across the 100-acre shooting grounds.
It may sound too good to be true but rest assured, you don’t need to be a member to take full advantage of this club, in fact, you don’t even need to be a Georgian. Out-of-towners can choose from a variety of rental properties through Reynolds Lake Oconee. Or, they can book a room at the only lakefront Ritz-Carlton property in the world.
A four-day weekend here can be filled with a flurry of activity, or you can enjoy a few days of relaxation in remote, all-encompassing nature. Pick and choose from the following options for how to spend your ultimate weekend at Reynolds Lake Oconee.
How to get to Reynolds Lake Oconee
Reynolds Lake Oconee is 85 miles from Georgia’s capital city of Atlanta, home to the busiest airport in the United States, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Therefore, the community may feel like a world away upon arrival, but it’s easy to access from pretty much anywhere in the country. Though you can hire a local car service, it’s probably better to rent a car. Lake Oconee’s expansive grounds can require up to 20-minute drives in between the different restaurants, social areas and, of course, golf courses.
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Where to Stay on Reynolds Lake Oconee
Reynolds Lake Oconee Cottages and Condos: Large parties will want to consider the National Cottages or The Landing Cottages of Reynolds Lake Oconee, which can both sleep up to eight guests. This option allows for complete privacy for your party, yet with access to the majority of amenities throughout the compound, including 10 restaurants, multiple pools, spa and rental equipment for afternoons on the lake. There are also two-bedroom cottages, which are more suitable for smaller parties or a couple’s trip. All the cottages and condos are tastefully decorated to match the lakeside aesthetic, fitted with cozy gas fireplaces and outdoor space to fully appreciate your surroundings.
Ritz-Carlton Lake Oconee: Another option is for guests to check in to the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Lake Oconee. The 247-room lakeside resort provides modern appeal with patios or terraces that are intimate for couples but also spacious enough for young families. The main difference with staying at the Ritz is less privacy, but you gain access to a gorgeous infinity pool on the lake and a man-made beach. For larger parties, the Ritz-Carlton Lake House sleeps eight adults, while still providing guest access to all the amenities of the hotel and Reynolds cottages.
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What to Do on Lake Oconee
1. Hit the Green
With six golf courses to choose from—Great Waters, The Preserve, The National, The Oconee, The Landing, and The Kingdom of Golf—a four-day weekend all of a sudden doesn’t seem like enough time. And with all the other activities on offer, it really isn’t—which is why you’ll have to be strategic. Make sure you leave enough time for drinks at the clubhouses after your rounds. It’s all part of the experience!
2. Try Your Aim
The Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds at Lake Oconee is helmed by international shooting champion Justin Jones. He developed the 100-acre grounds for elite adventure for any age, including a 20-station sporting clays course. There’s also a five-stand shooting range, archery range, and a simulated experience to really immerse yourself. Don’t worry about the extra packing this event may require, the sporting grounds equip you with all the essentials and ensure your party feels safe before first fire.
3. Get Your Feet Wet
There’s no shortage of water sports here, with kayaks, canoes, water bikes, and paddle boards. There are also opportunities for recreational fishing in certain parts of the lake. For a soft adventure, cottage guests can rent pontoon boats at an hourly rate for a leisurely putt around the lake, or can enquire about an evening sail with a captain, so you can sip wine responsibly as the sun melts into the lake.
4. Live Like a Local
There are select times of year when crowds are drawn to the lake for community happenings open to the public, like the Rhythm & Brews event in October, or Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival in March. For epicureans, these are the times of year to visit, sipping and tasting your way through regional offerings under the Loblolly Pines. Of course, these events fill up quickly, so be sure to book your accommodations and tickets in advance.
5. Host Your Own Event
The Sandy Creek barn is the social hub of the sporting grounds, available to rent out to cottage guests for special events—everything from weddings to corporate events to bachelor parties—as well as for the barn’s wine program, tastings, and pairing dinners. The Rock House is another venue, which is adjacent to the main marina, that has rustic charm (better suited to smaller parties). The on-site events specialist can coordinate all the details, from decor to day-of emergencies at either locale.
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Where to Eat and Drink
1. National Tavern
Taupe bar stools surround the central bar of this country tavern. Settle in at the bar to watch sports, or enjoy casual dinner fare in the lounge. Even though this spot gives a pub vibe, its culinary offerings are not entirely traditional. Executive Chef Zouhair Bellout uses seasonal and locally grown ingredients to elevate classic dishes.
2. The Landing Restaurant
Overlooking the original golf course that placed Lake Oconee on the map, The Landing Restaurant is the place to come for comfort food with a side of history. You’ll truly feel part of a members’ club, with a strong sense of community that welcomes you after a round of golf for a craft cocktail. There are themed nights twice weekly with Italian- and BBQ-inspired menus.
3. Linger Longer Steakhouse
If you’re celebrating a special occasion, look no further than this swanky steakhouse at the Ritz-Carlton. The double-sided stone fireplace emulates the feeling of dining in a friend’s lake house, and the personal detail doesn’t stop there. Expect tableside carvings and a daily raw bar experience that will keep you coming back for more.
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4. Barrel Room
This is a place where you can visit to both start and end your evening. Regardless of the time of day, the Barrel Room is always overflowing into the cozy lobby of the Ritz-Carlton. Aptly named for the Ritz-Carlton’s collection of curated barrels from national and international Master Distillers, certified bourbon stewards are on-call here to encourage you to try something new.
5. Chiminea Dining
All about experiential dining, this unique opportunity is tailored to a party’s personal needs. Guests must reserve a Fireside Flavor Package for access to a fire globe (chiminea) 72 hours in advance. The chiminea is set up lakeside with a curated collection of indulgent dishes. You can find everything from caviar and passed appetizers to seafood and cakes. Of course, there are libations to wash it all down.
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6. Oconee Brewing Company
About 10 miles from Reynolds Lake Oconee is the area’s craft distillery and tasting room, ready to fill up a flight and introduce your palate to Georgia brews. Keep an eye on the rotating events list if you want to attend a bigger festival. Even if you pop by when the brewery is closed, the team welcomes you to give them a call. Their winning motto goes: “if we’re at the brewery (and we’re not too busy), we’ll invite you to swing by for a six-pack to go!”
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
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1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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