FAVOURITE MONTH: "I like the heat," says the toned Mr. July, featured in the 2008 Hottest Firefighters calendar.

"I hate the winter. I'm a real sun person," adds Jim Southon.

Calendars featuring smoking-hot local firefighters are produced by the Hamilton Professional Firefighters Association Local 288 as a fundraiser for charities benefiting children.

FAVOURITE SPORT: In spite of disliking chilly weather, Southon enjoys Canada's all-time favourite winter sport.

"I play hockey two or three times a week," says Southon, a forward. "It's a good cardio workout."

HIS REGIMEN: Southon, 39, also aims to do strength training with weight machines every second day. A typical workout lasts 90 minutes.

"One day I'll do back and biceps, the next day I'll do chest and triceps. And the next day shoulders and legs," says Southon, who rotates his workouts and on leg days takes care not to bulk up.

"I don't do a lot of leg (strengthening) because I find that it affects my hockey. If you pump up your legs it's kind of hard to play."

His regimen also includes 20 minutes to 25 minutes of abdominal strengthening. And, weather permitting, he rides his bike to his fire station in west Hamilton.

HIS MOTIVATION: Regular exercise is known to improve people's overall mood and ability to cope with stress.

"It makes you a lot happier to work out, I find. You're in a good mood when you work out. Your spirit is a lot higher. The calendar motivates me," he adds. "If you're going to be in it, you've got to look half decent. And I want to stay in shape, so it's a goal to work toward."

HIS CHALLENGES: Finding time for regular exercise is a challenge for Southon, who is single and helps care for his two young children.

It helps that there's fitness equipment at the fire station so he can work out there on breaks.

HOTTEST FIREFIGHTERS 2008 CALENDAR: Calendars are sold at participating Shoppers in the Hamilton area.

All proceeds go to the Hamilton Professional Firefighters Association's assistance fund, supporting many local charities aimed at improving the lives of children.

Calendars are $16 for a large one, $11 for a small one and $25 for a pack of one each. The association hopes to raise $20,000 from the sale of this year's calendars.