Author Archives: Healthy Towns

The Annual Irish Bike Week is Back!

From the 13th to 21st of June around the country cycling events will be taking place as part of the National Annual Bike week. A wide range of FREE cycling events will be taking place for families and cycling enthusiasts. The events have been organised and managed by community groups, local businesses and Local Authorities across Ireland

For a complete list of events taking place for the National Bike Week visit www.bikeweek.ie

What kinds of events will be taking place?
Cycling Safety Events
Cycling Competitions
Bike Photography
Cycling Spins & Races
Sightseeing Spins
Fitness Cycles
Learn to Cycle
Bike Repairs
Family Cycling

Get Active and Take a Bike to Work or into Town:

What is the Annual Skoda Series?

The Annual Skoda Series is an eight part cycling event that takes place across Ireland. It is in association with Skoda and Independent News and Media. The events offer leisure cyclists in Ireland an opportunity to take part in race-like spins that are inclusive for all skill levels, each event also offers more seasoned cyclists longer distances 100-160km.

All are welcome to register for the events which offer both novice and family friendly 50km distances.

Where are the eight events taking place in 2015?

Below are the eight Skoda Series events on offer for 2015. If you wish to register for an event visit the Skoda website here.

When do the events take place?

The Annual Skoda Cycle Series 2015 kicks off in Sligo on April 12th with the Sligo ŠKODA Sportif. The Skoda Cycle Series 2015 offers leisure cyclists and well seasoned riders in Ireland eight highly organised and enjoyable events across Ireland.

In 2014, over 3,500 cyclists took part the annual event, we expect a huge increase in participants this year due to the popularity of the event. Also a host of prizes and giveaways will be on offer in 2015 to be enjoyed by all the family and friends present at the event.

For more information about the series visit www.fitmagazine.ie or visit the dedicated series Facebook page www.facebook.com/skodacycleseries.

Article Credit: Skoda Ireland & Paul Ryan of Fit Magazine (Imagery & referenced content)

With the Apple Watch Sport launching only days away March 9th, we take a look at the Apple Watch Sport device and how it aims to change the way we track our fitness activities.

What is Apple Watch Sport:

Apple Watch Sport is a wearable piece of technology designed for tracking your daily activity and fitness. It also allows you to download cool apps for checking emails, real-time directions, online messaging, boarding flights and more.

Apple Watch Sport is one of three watch devices offered by Apple, below it’s located in the middle.

What is the difference between Apple Watch Sport (middle), Apple Watch (left) and Apple Watch Edition (right) ?

In short, the casing and the strap. Apple Watch Sport has an anodised aluminium case which is considerably lighter and more suited for fitness. Running with a stainless steel watch (left) is never a good idea.

What Fitness Tracking Features does the Apple Watch Sport have?

The watch has an onboard heart-rate monitor and accelerometer to track a users daily activity. Apple have two main apps for tracking activity, one for everyday tracking such as counting steps, the other for more intense fitness tracking like running or jogging.

1) The Activity App – If you ever wanted to know how many steps you take, how long you stand and even sit! You can now with the activity app. It even allows you to set walking and movement goals. It’s an ideal solution to highlight the importance of getting active.

2) The Workout app – For the fitness enthusiasts , the workout app allows them to set goals, monitor informative real-times stats, track GPS location, and synch to other third party fitness programs.

Do I need an iPhone to use Apple Watch?

Yes. The Apple Watch pairs with iPhones via Bluetooth Low Energy and built-in Wi-Fi, it will also use GPS for sports tracking via your phone. Think of the Apple Watch as an extension to your iPhone.

Article Credits: Apple Inc. – Device Imaginary  – Visit www.apple.ie/store for more details about Apple Watch Sport

For new Aviva Health Insurance customers the GP waiting room may be a thing of the past. The app called Babylon created by Babylon Health provides new Aviva Health insurance customers with face-to-face video chat with qualified General Practitioners via a smartphone app.

The free app is available for new Aviva Health members who buy a health insurance package between 2nd March to 30th April 2015. Each member will be given three free GP app appointments to be used within a year.

You must however, purchase either one of these health insurance packages Aviva Select, Aviva Select Plus or Aviva Select More to avail of the new app service.

Aviva are the first health insurance company to provide this type of digital health service in Ireland. The Babylon app is available from the Google App Store and iTunes.

Article Credits: Photography by Robbie Reynolds & Aviva Health Insurance

A new FREE online course Swim For a Mile has been launched by Swim Ireland and The Irish Times. The 12 week training programme aims to challenge people of all ages and abilities to swim at least two lengths of a 25m pool.

Below are some questions and answers about the Swim For a Mile challenge:

1. Who can take part in the Swim For a Mile challenge?

The course is designed to teach inexperienced swimmers better swimming techniques such as floating and treading water to learning different swimming styles.

2. How is the Swim For a Mile course structured & How do I receive my course content?

You will receive weekly Swim a Mile emails each week, with training plans and video lessons and tips from top swimming experts.

3. How do I register for the FREE Swim For a Mile Challenge?

Visit www.irishtimes.com/getswimming to register

4. How many sessions a work do I need to swim?

The challenge requires only three sessions a week.

5. How long does a session take?

The length of each session can vary between 40 minutes & 1 hour.

6. Who created the Swim For a Mile Programme?

The Swim For a Mile programme has been developed in line with the Department of Health guidelines.

7. What equipment do I need to take part in the Swim For a Mile challenge?

Swimsuit, google and swimming hat are required, other equipment such as kick boards should be available at your local pool

For more information email fitness@irishtimes.com

The most successful Irish Olympian sprinter Derval O’Rourke has released her very own Cook Book, Food For the Fast Lane, Recipes to Power Your Body and Mind.

Derval O’Rourke is one of Ireland’s greatest athletes. She likes to eat and train, not diet and exercise. After devising a nutritionally balanced training menu with peak performance in mind, she gained boundless energy and a better ability to focus, both on and off the track. Here in Food for the Fast Lane she reveals the tasty and nutritious recipes that helped her reach her goals as a professional athlete.

A food lover and fitness fanatic, Derval’s cookbook contains 100 recipes for main meals and snacks as well as nutritional advice, motivational encouragement and training tips to be used every day to power your body and mind – on and off the track.

Everything is intertwined. Cooking and eating well are vital for a happy, healthy life, and what you put into your body determines how you live and feel. So get ready to discover Derval’s theory for yourself: goodness in = greatness out. Eat like an athlete; perform for your life.