First of all, I would like to apologise for not
writing in this blog for so long. Busy work (which is not a complaint at all!)
mixed with family health problems have been keeping me away from writing.
Changing
the subject… This last weekend has been all about Fitness. The second ever
Sports and Fitness Show in Ireland was held on the 2nd and 3rd
of February 2013 in the RDS in Dublin. On both days, right at the entrance, you
got a bag with the Irish Mail with lucozade sport, kellogg’s Nutri-Grain
(Crunchy Oat Granola Choc Chip) and McVitie’s Breakfast (porridge oats biscuits
with red berries).
There
were a lot of stands that were sports, fitness, nutrition and personal
wellbeing related. Some giving free samples like the Vita Coco natural coconut
water drink (traditional in Brazil and among world famous celebrities like
Madonna. It is highly hydrating and energetic with vitamins and minerals and
they showed three different flavours: original, pineapple and orange); Sumo giving
samples of their calorie burning refreshments with 2 different flavours
(Tropical and Summer fruits) and also The Foods of Athenry had many samples of
their gluten free range.
There were many more stands such as
the Nutriband (their products are supposed to make performance boosting
nutrients be absorbed through the skin by wearing their patches), KT Ireland
(treating and preventing sports injuries), Alkaline Healing Water (ionised
water company that also had a stand in the previous edition of the Sport and
Fitness Show), Aloe Vera Gel, Softball Leinster (promoting sports),
International Paintball Group (promoting their various paintball centres in 6
countries), Clare Burren Marathon, White Collar Boxing (with a Boxing ring in
the event showing boxing demos) and many more. Chuan Chom Thai Spa and Art of
Therapeutic Thai massage giving free massage. Worth mentioning the Adventure
West stand, besides their people being really nice and enthusiastic about their
services, they had a zorbing ball/OGO right there at the event. There were charity stands for the Irish Paraolympic Athletes and for Autism.
There
were different classes/workshops scheduled and divided throughout the two days
of the event. Some of them were:
- Capoeira
- Master Mamaozinho was there giving demonstrations of Capoeira (Brazilian
Martial Arts that works the whole body) and Frevo (One of many Brazilian
type of dance);
- Zumba
and Rip 60 (Great and fun popular classes delivered by the profifitness
school that is always coming up with great Fitness Conferences with
classes and workshops that count with many great Instructors from all over
the world) Those two classes were also present in the first Sports and
Fitness Show that happened in Dublin in 2011.
- Toe-ga
(Great presentation and exercises demonstrations done with your toes to
re-educate our feet to perform in a more natural way and shape that
improves your technique for running, for instance).
 |
| Chi Balls |
- Chi
Ball class (Instructor Eddie showed us a great relaxing and different
class using a Chi Ball created in Australia with Tai Chi, pilates, yoga
and traditional Chinese medicine as some of its influences. There are many
different Chi Balls each with a different colour and different scent and
each one of them is supposed to help you to work a different physical/mind
health issue.
- Kettelbell
class (a complete whole body exercise class also delivered by Eddie that
showed us not only how to use kettlebells in a fitness class but also how
to take it to a different level and make it a really advanced exercise
performing 80 repetitions in less than 4 minutes (Eddie did it in 2
minutes and a half).
Overall
I would say the classes were very good but I felt there was less of a variety
of classes being offered comparing to the other Sports and Fitness Show in
2011. A very positive side was that the classes didn’t run simultaneously like
the 2011 event so you could do them all if you wanted. It makes me wonder when
the next Sports and Fitness Show in Ireland will be and what other new trends
will be shown. I can’t wait!
