GET FIT:The weather's better and the evenings are brighter, so there's no excuse not to get out and ramp up your fitness levels. ROSEMARY MCCABElooks at what fitness activities and programmes are available, and recommends some trendy and effective kit
HERE ARE CERTAIN things we excuse by virtue of being Irish. Pale skin, for example, and with it a strong tendency to burn in the sun. An inability to make small talk without referencing the rain. A lot of our “Irishness” has to do with the weather, in fact, and so too our activities. Without a temperate climate to run around in, we can often be found resorting to the cold, dead air of our local (and usually overpriced) gym or, more often, our sofas.
Unless you find yourself with a particular skill with a hurl or a football, or hitting the 6ft 5in mark and therefore destined for an illustrious basketball career, it is unlikely that you will have been encouraged to partake in sport while in school, and a fear of being chosen last for the team often results in a level of non-participation continuing well into adult life.
But there has never been a better time to take up an outdoor pursuit. The internet has made the organisation of sport a cinch and democratised activities to a far greater degree. Fancy trying your hand at kayaking? Surely there’s a website for that. Want to take up running? Try a running club. Bit of an all-rounder? Join some triathletes in your local triathlon club. The possibilities are endless, and all ability levels are catered for.
TAG RUGBY
One of the most popular summertime sports in Ireland at the moment is tag rugby, a sport a friend once described as being “for geeks in the IT department who couldn’t pull a girl if she was on the other end of a rope”. That would be the social aspect of it; tag-rugby stereotypes depict young 20-somethings in Abercrombie gear spending an hour or so per week avoiding a rugby ball while making eyes at members of the opposite sex. (There is, it should be said, a strong argument that asks whether that doesn’t sound like the best sport ever.)
For those less interested in the on-pitch dating experience, tag rugby is a great way to get outside, exercise, meet new people – or socialise with friends – and get fit in a competitive (but not too competitive), non-contact environment. Tagrugby.ie is a great resource that will allow you to find venues and teams all over the country, register for leagues, find practice venues and learn the rules of the game.
CYCLING
If organised team sports aren’t your thing, have a think about what you can do in the outdoors that doesn’t cost money. Cycling is one of the best forms of exercise you can do, provides a nifty mode of transport and a great way to see different parts of your area. From Dublin city centre, a cycle to Howth will showcase all the glories of the coast road; from Mayo, take a cycle down to Galway one weekend if you’re feeling adventurous; in Cork, take a cycle out east or west for some glorious scenery – and even better seafood.
There are also a number of cycling clubs across the country, one of the most well-known of which is Lakeside Wheelers (lakesidewheelers.ie), which organises trips from Mullingar on most weekends, including longer cross-country cycles and various charity events. See cyclingireland.ie for a list of clubs in your area – and remember, if you haven’t got a bike, employees paying PAYE can avail of the bike-to-work scheme, where you can buy a bike tax free, through your company. See biketowork.ie for details.
RUNNING
Running is another great outdoor activity to enjoy either on your own or with a group, and there are loads of groups up and running in Ireland at the moment, for beginners or experienced runners. See runireland.com for a full list, and look out for running courses in your area – instructed running can serve as a great motivator.
Before you start running, bear in mind that it’s one of the toughest things you can do for your joints. Get your gait tested first. Selected Elverys Sports shops offer it, free of charge (see elverys.ie) – and invest in a decent pair of running shoes. It’s also worth looking into running classes, where a qualified instructor can advise you on what to do and what not to do.
Run Like a Girl (yourfullcirclefitness.com) runs classes at beginner and intermediate levels in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, beginning with interval runs and focusing on increasing endurance and speed over a six-week course. The advantage of running with a group is, of course, shame. People will say it is more fun than running alone, but it is fear – of coming last – that keeps you motivated more than anything else. See runireland.com for a list of running groups, and keep an eye out for group courses in your area.
BOOTCAMPS
If the gym is more your thing in terms of what you want to achieve from exercise – results, and of the muscular variety – there are various ways, now that the weather has warmed up, of taking your workout al fresco. It may initially seem a little daunting, doing squat thrusts in your local park in full view of your neighbours, but you definitely won’t be alone.
One of the most enjoyable, and terrifying, options is to take part in a bootcamp, such as those offered by bootcampireland.com. The idea behind a bootcamp is to place participants in a military-style workout routine and to push them to achieve their maximum potential, but everyone is free to go at their own pace and instructors are always on hand to give you that extra push – or that extra hand, should you find yourself face down in the mud, halfway through a push-up.
With any outdoor activity there’s the potential for mortification, but ensuring that you remain smug at all times about your newfound fitness regime will alleviate all sense of embarrassment.
ALFRESCO WORKOUTS two tone
Magazines and newspapers would have us believe that each month brings a new craze in exercise and keeping fit, but Ireland lags behind somewhat compared to our cross-Channel friends. Not for us, Madonna's trainer shouting at groups of people in the park; not for us, a combination of yoga, pilates and capoeira. Instead of being envious, however, we should take the opportunity to give thanks for these small mercies, and think a little outside the box. How about weight training in the park?
GOOD GEAR: fit to go
Shock Absorber Run Bra (€47.50 from Debenhams, Arnotts and good sports stores) For women, there's very little that can compare to the agony of doing exercise in an unsupportive bra – and, take it from someone who spent months looking for it, this is the Holy Grail. Comfortable and supportive, it will minimise unnecessary movement and mean you just have to think about coordination and avoiding the ball. I mean, you know, catching it.
Mizuno Women's Wave Alchemy Running Shoe (€110, Base 2 Race, Dublin 24; base2race.ie) It takes time – and effort – to find the perfect running shoe for you, but these trainers are a great combination of cushioning and control. If you're planning on covering any kind of distance, you'll need to replace your trainers at least once a year – and get professional advice before you invest.
Newline Women's Compression Tights (€60 from running.ie) These tights will get the bloodflow going around your legs and keep you warm while running in our less-than-temperate climate, and they'll also work for cycling. But more importantly, they'll make you look like one of the X-Men, and that is no exaggeration.
Under Armour ColdGear Longsleeve Crew (€50 from Elverys Sports stores). You don't have to be a 20-something student to enjoy the benefits of decent cold-weather gear. This will keep you warm when you're out and about and make you look at least 20 per cent hotter than usual.
Stella McCartney Weekender Performance Jacket (€450 from netaporter.com). When Stella McCartney collaborated with Adidas, a host of poseur sports fanatics breathed a sigh of relief. Cynicism aside, the collaboration has yielded a great selection of fashionable sports items, this jacket being one of the highlights. Lightweight, rain resistant and bright, it's a great way to stay dry – and cosy – while looking like you might just know what you're doing.
Water Bobble (€12, Stock, South King St, Dublin 2)
It may seem a ridiculous thing to spend money on, but this ergonomic water bottle really is quite brilliant – not only does it fit perfectly into your hand, but it has an inbuilt water filter available in different colours. What could be hipper than that?
