Get Active: Do you want to get fit? Here's all you need

Whether you want to start running, fight like Bruce Lee or do a triathlon we'll help start you on the right track . . .


We’ve rounded up some of the most popular and the most accessible – from running and swimming to joining a GAA club, learning a marital art or finally tackling that tennis serve.

You don’t need any experience or expertise to try a new sport. You don’t even need to be fit to get active. Here’s a guide to how to get involved, the gear you’ll need, costs involved, and some tips on how to get the most out of it.

If you've always wanted to enjoy running, but never knew how, Mary Jennings has some tips to get you from the couch to 5k.

Laurence Mackin learned to swim last year, and he offers advice on how to dip your toe in the pool.

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Why not get serious? Dominique McMullan will guide you in where to find a personal trainer and how to join and get the most out of a gym.

If the All-Ireland championships matches have inspired you, Malachy Clerkin's guide on how to find and join a GAA club will be just the ticket,

Ciara O'Brien gets to grips with the myriad of marital arts available to learn in Ireland.

Kilian Doyle's takes us on a spin through starting to cycle – lycra shorts optional.

Find your zen with Leonie Corcoran's guide to yoga and pilates for beginners.

If you are looking for a real challenge, check out Jo Linehan's guide to doing your first triathlon.

Leonie Corcoran will whip you into shape to try horse riding without having to invest in your own steed

Game, set and match – Brian Boyd serves up a beginners' guide to tennis.

Tag rugby is a great non-contact sport to get you out and about on summer evenings – or if you want something more physical, our guide to learning how to box is a knockout.

Even if you're in decent shape, you still need to work at it – expert and author Pat Divilly shares his secrets to keeping on track with a fitness regime.

And don't forget the mind games – mental fitness is just as important as the physical side.

A change of scenery can work wonders too – try these escapes, from short, sharp detox days to walking tours, for get-fit-while you -relax solution

And finally, Irish women bodybuilders are pulling above their weight – we talk to world champion Jenni Murphy about the feminine side of being muscular.