6 minute read
NUIG launch online fitness classes as part of November exercise initiative
By Oisín Bradley
NUI Galway have been working hard to try and find new ways of engaging their students due to the lack of on-campus activities this semester, with many students confined to their bedrooms and desks.
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One of these methods has been the ‘Move this November’ campaign in a bid to get both staff and students of the University up and active this November, engaging in physical activity and taking part in new fitness initiatives.
Each day during the month, the sports department has been delivering objectives on all of their social media channels for students to complete. For example, on Monday 2nd the objective was to complete 7,000
By Oisín Bradley
The English football seasons are well and truly back underway, with the league tables starting to take shape and most teams and players starting to settle into the rhythm and groove as they eye up trophies and promotions, or try to stave off relegation from their respective leagues.
There are a handful of Galwegians who are looking to make their mark on the beautiful game, and we will be casting our eye over their trials and tribulations as they try and make their presence felt across the Irish Sea Aaron Connolly – Brighton and Hove Albion: It hasn’t been the easiest of starts for the youthful Connolly, as he has found it difficult to maximise any gametime afforded him by Graham Potter at the Amex stadium thus far.
The ex-Mervue United wonderkid was named in the starting XI for Brighton as they fell to 2-3 and 4-2 defeats to Manchester United and Everton respectfully, however couldn’t manage to get himself on the scoresheet on either occasion. Connolly did manage to make an impact in a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in recent weeks however, assisting Alexis McCallister as the game ticked into injury time to rescue a point.
Both Aaron Connolly and Brighton and Hove Albion will be looking to put some daylight between themselves and the trap door into the Championship after he recovers from his hamstring injury. Brighton sit three points above the relegation zone. Daryl Horgan - Wycombe Wanderers: Daryl Horgan is fast becoming a regular for this side as they look to make the difficult step up from the third to the second tier of English football this season.
The ex-Hibernian man has settled into the dressing room and starting XI at Adams Park well, and steps. The next day: complete 40 squats, 40 lunges, 40 push ups and 40 crunches.
Alongside this, there are yoga and workout sessions to get you out of your chair and away from your desk.
One of the instructors is Maeve Kavanagh, a personal trainer from Limerick, who provides classes on Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Kavanagh spoke to SIN on how she got involved in the initiative, and why she believes it is a great idea to stimulate students.
“I was approached by the college to do two Zoom sessions a week for the college’s students and staff. The college have been trying to get everyone moving during their ‘Move this November’ campaign, which I think is
Galway’s Premier League and Championship review
a fantastic health initiative.” whilst his side have struggled to find a sense of form this season, it is not entirely an indictment on Horgan’s performances.
Horgan received acclaim for his performance in a 1-1 draw against last season’s relegated Premier League side Watford a few weeks back, and has played 90 minutes five times this season. Horgan and Wycombe sit a point inside the relegation zone, and will be hoping to hit the ground running after he returns from international duty.
Greg Cunningham – Cardiff City: Cunningham is enduring a difficult spell in Wales at the moment, and it seems that breaking into the side at the Cardiff City stadium is a tall ask. Ex-Mervue United man Cunningham was starting to find his groove and make himself a regular for the Bluebirds, and started in their 1-0 victory over Preston North End.
However, a hamstring injury saw him forced out of the side once more, having only returned from cruciate damage during his time on loan at Blackburn Rovers. 29-year-old Cunningham is hoping to be back in manager Neil Harris’ squad before the end of the month.
Cardiff City currently sit fifteenth in the Sky Bet Championship table.
Ryan Manning – Swansea City Cunningham’s former neighbour Ryan Manning has struggled to make an impact, since his move to the Liberty Stadium. The fleet-footed youngster has only managed to get onto the pitch once, starting and playing 74 minutes in a 2-0 victory over Stoke City.
Manning has been called into Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland squad to replace fellow Galway man Aaron Connolly, and will be hoping for an upturn in club fortunes after the international break as the Swans continue in their hunt for promotion back to the Premier League.
“NUI Galway wanted to get people up and active again, and they approached me to try and facilitate some way of getting students to exercise for some time. They understand that people might not have the time to devote an hour or two at the moment, so what I’ve been offering is something closer to 15-minute HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) classes.”
As a former student of University of Limerick, Kavanagh is aware of how drastically the lives of students, as well as everyone in wider society, have been altered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We’re all in a different and alien position now, we’re are all at home, be it working or studying. Studies have shown that everyone is just sitting at their desks more and not moving as much as they were.
“In normal times as a student, you’d be in college and on-campus; you’d be able to meet up with your friends. You would be able to go to the gym with them or go on a run with them. You’d be able to play your sport. That’s all been taken away from everyone and your routines have changed. People are finding themselves trapped at home.”
PT Kavanagh also acknowledges that it may be daunting for some to get involves in fitness classes who have a lack of experience, however she has always moved to reassure that whether you be beginner or seasoned professional, the virtual door is always open to her classes.
“It’s great because it caters to people of all shapes and sizes with different levels of experiences. I’ll show the ones who attend the different variations of the exercises and moves, and there’s an easy way and a hard way. It’s a warm-up, a 15-minute session and it’s done.”
In the coming weeks as the country gets to grips with lockdown and being restricted once more, Kavanagh sees it as imperative that we take breaks from our desks and laptops for both our mental and physical health.
“How I see it is that it’s a way for students and staff alike to get away from their desks and take the time to yourself for a session. Prolonged sitting is not good for anybody, whether they be young or old. It might seem like you’re invincible when you’re young, but the neck pains and back pains and tight hip flexors all lead to issues.
“Living in these scenarios in the times we live in can be particularly isolating, and you need all of the outlets you get. We know it can be hard to motivate yourself at the moment, and I think that getting up and active is the best way to do that.”
NUI Galway will be running Zoom fitness classes as part of their ‘Move this November’ campaign every week until the end of November. Classes are as follows, follow @NUIGSport on Instagram for more information: • Yoga – Monday and Wedneday @1pm • Workout – Tuesday and Thursday @11am.
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