January is the biggest month for gyms, with thousands of people making the effort to stick to their healthy New Year's resolutions. Una Mullallyasks some gym members in Dublin about their motivation.
Jason O’Connell
Donaghmede, Dublin
“Health, competition, triathlons mainly, and beating my mates at whatever it is we’re doing.”
Finn Richards
Dublin 8
“For me, it’s not just a January thing. I come all year but more in January. It’s a bit of a kick up the arse.”
Doireann Nic Mhathuna
Meath
“I’m in a rowing club, so I want to be one of the members of the team on the boat.”
John Murray
Dublin
“Just to stay fit and healthy. I read that sports psychologists say if you want to really do it, the idea of ‘same time same place’ is important.”
Paul Murphy
Carlow
“To stay healthy for sports – kite-surfing and kayaking.”
Mick Convey
Cavan
“I was always into training. I read about Charles Atlas and I aspired to be like that. I fall by the wayside now and then, but I’m 60 and I’m still at it. It’s all in your mind.”
Silvia Garcia
Spain
“I come to the gym always, for me it isn’t about a special month. It’s about keeping fit and keeping the weight down.”
Trevor Gray
Ballybough, Dublin
“People are trying to lose weight after Christmas and they’re clogging up the gyms. I keep fit all the time, so there’s not much new motivation for me.”
Peter O’Rourke,
Dublin
“I come in here for a wash, it’s handy. I’m an old-age pensioner, so coming in here keeps my body fresh, and it gets me out to do the walk down. We all need to look after our health.”
Keith Boland
Dublin
“When you have an office job, it’s important to get out and keep moving. It’s hard to start, but it does get easier.”
Ashling Nesbitt
Celbridge
“I’m a big swimmer. I’ve always been, so I’m just keeping that up. We’ve a few competitions coming up so hopefully I can do well in them.”
David Barry
North King Street, Dublin
“I’m coming back to get fit again after doing my knee. I was out of action for eight weeks.”
Alan McDonough
Clontarf, Dublin
“Health is my motivation. Four or five years ago I was overweight and had high blood pressure. I needed to start exercising. I’ve lost two stone and I’ve got my blood pressure down. I got a membership for Christmas so I’m going to use it.”
Sean Meaghar
Tipperary
“The feel-good factor.”
Aoife McManus
Tallaght
“I’m a dancer so I want to keep a low weight and good tone. I’m always in training, although it’s more intense in the new year.”
Ray Murphy
Skerries
“I have four kids so I want to be healthy for them, to play and to be able to lift them.”
Maria Garces
Spain
“I’m going to the gym for the past 20 years so it’s habit. People shouldn’t try to be healthy just for the New Year, but try to be healthy all the time.”
Sarah Culhane
Malahide, Co Dublin
“It’s not that I’ve particularly started now, I generally just like to keep a healthy lifestyle. I go to the gym and mix it up with some swimming, usually five times a week.”
Brendan Fallon
Mullingar, Co Westmeath
“My girlfriend! But generally I guess just feeling better, not being stout. If you’re more active, you feel better: healthy body healthy mind and all that.”
Niamh Murray
Templeogue, Dublin
“I do athletics, so I’ve got my competition coming up.”
