Fitness: Advice, News & Techniques | The Irish Times

Running Coach and Irish Times Writer Mary Jennings. Photograph: Alan Betson

Get Running: How to plan in a year of uncertainty

Mary Jennings on things we can do to carry us through the remainder of this winter

Good news: Just four seconds of exercise can improve fitness

Good news: Just four seconds of exercise can improve fitness

Gains from short intense workouts are equal to or better than long, gentle sessions

Can lifting weights also lift your mood?

Can lifting weights also lift your mood?

Studies show doing lunges, sit-ups, squats and crunches may reduce anxiety

Could running be good for your knees?

Could running be good for your knees?

Findings show that rather than harming the joint, running may reduce arthritis risk

First steps to top level: How Cora Staunton got to the top of her game

First steps to top level: How Cora Staunton got to the top of her game

‘The biggest piece of advice I could give to young people ... is it can take a long time to find the sport you love’

Looking for a fresh start with your exercise routine?

‘Consistency will help you to progress in running,’ says Olympic athlete Thomas Barr

Exercise helps us to lose weight, but what’s the optimal amount?

We have to exercise a lot – burning 3,000 calories a week – in order to actually lose weight

10 light exercises before bed to improve your sleep

Sleep should be a welcome respite but many people have been struggling to do so since Covid

How 2020 changed us as runners (and coaches)

Yes, in some ways it was a disappointing year, but look how we adapted, grew and learned

How exercise may improve the immune system’s ability to fight cancer

Working out may help the immune system target cancer cells, new study in mice suggests

What you need to know about exercising in the dark

Wear reflective clothing and stick to weekly routines and well-lit areas, experts say

Why experiences beat material gifts every time

Happiness may not be for sale but spending money on experiences seems to have a knock-on effect on our wellbeing

Believe it or not, this is the best week of the year to try running at dawn

Can I tempt you to create a little morning adventure this December? You may even enjoy it

Goal of new football partnership to remind children help is available

Dublin and District Schoolboys/Girls League partnering with Childline to raise awareness

Five ways running can make you feel less stressed and more energised in December

December is a busy month but making time to get fresh air every day will lift your spirits

The Irish ice-cream maker who was diagnosed with diabetes

Kieran Murphy of Murphy’s Ice Cream felt hopeless until he searched ‘diabetes reversal’

Face masks don’t impede exercise ... except for one type

Studies find most face coverings have little impact on performance during workouts

Take a bow, Chris Nikic, for holding tight to your dreams – and completing an Ironman

The 21-year-old became first competitor with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon

How to run in the dark safely this winter

Finding a safe route can be tricky. Here are some tips to bear in mind

How to stay running throughout winter

Do warm-ups indoors beforehand to avoid discomfort and injury

High-intensity workouts may be more enjoyable than less strenuous exercise

Study finds many inactive adults who tried a sampling of exercises prefer HIIT

Strengthen your muscles without leaving the house

Step-ups are perfect for all fitness levels and have low risk of injury, physio says

Falls and the elderly: How to avoid accidents at home

Covid-19 restrictions and frailty combine to reduce mobility of older people

Men over 45 years encouraged to exercise for 30 minutes a day

Economically deprived are more likely not to exercise and have poor health

Breathe easy to maximise your running experience

Combining effortless breathing with running is essential to make progress

How we exercise is different now – the pandemic changed everything

App-based studies have shown older people have been more active than before

‘Awe walks’: The psychological benefit of a more attentive stroll

Researchers are looking at the benefits of taking in the small wonders of the world

‘I track money launderers for a living. It’s not as exciting as my running’

She never ran before 2013. Now ultrarunner Jan Corcoran wants to be an Olympian

How to stay sane, positive and healthy amid this uncertainty

Have you lost the will to run? Get back out the door today and feel the mental benefits

Ten wild runs in Dublin – combine exercise and nature in a locked-down capital

From Howth Head to the Phoenix Park, we’ve sampled the city’s most eye-catching routes

Breast cancer: game-changing treatments and better outcomes

Prof Arnie Hill speaks about the advances in breast cancer treatment in the last 10 years

My cancer scare, the marathon and me

Conor Lane, an Irish cancer survivor living in the UK, reflects on a turbulent time

Pandemic allows Ireland the opportunity to walk the walk with abandon

National Walking Day is the perfect time for people to join a modern mass movement

How to stay on track when training for a virtual marathon

This year you get to be the boss and run a marathon on your own terms

How to deal with your negative inner voice when running

Being mentally strong enough to handle the tough days out is key to becoming a better runner

Being in shape may improve your vaccine response

New studies of elite athletes find working out amplifies the immune response to a flu shot

Communities working against the odds to get children cycling to school

Efforts under way to improve cycling infrastructure in towns and cities across Ireland

How to sneak exercise into working from home

On Zoom, no one has to know you’re doing squats

Summer like no other brought runners to places we never imagined

We’re now heading down another uncertain road but autumn is a natural time of reset

Electric bikes are all the rage. But are they good exercise and are they safe?

Two new studies suggest the answer to both questions is yes – albeit a qualified yes

How to cycle up ‘Everest’: The athletes climbing the world’s highest peak

In ‘Everesting’, ultra-endurance athletes pick a hill and ride up it for 8,848m

Returning to exercise? What you need to know about avoiding injury

A sedentary lifestyle due to lockdown may mean we are returning to action weaker

Trying to increase your running pace? Try shortening the distance

Olympian David Matthews on how training for the mile will benefit longer race times

Can a physically demanding job be bad for your brain?

Being physically active on the job might have different effects from being active at the gym

Want to exercise but can’t face going for a run? Here’s what to do

If you’re a parent, you can feel more energised just by building more movement into your day

Cycling

The Wicklow 200km cycle ride: there are a few important differences between urban and rural cycling. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Sheep thrills: the hazards of cycling on rural roads

Kilian Doyle

A cycle in Ireland’s beautiful countryside may be just magical but ignore its many dangers at your peril

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A triumph of science and innovation

A triumph of science and innovation

Rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine has begun in Ireland, and Pfizer scientists working on its development speak about vaccine developments and innovations

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January is Health Month in The Irish Times. Click for articles, columns, advice and tips about your physical and mental health

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