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By Michelle Crean

Ireland Active ambassadors, Aidan O’Mahony and Sene Naoupu, were on hand at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena in Dublin to launch the fifth annual National Fitness Day (NFD) which takes place on September 24.

As part of the day, people across the country will get involved in a host of free healthy and fun activities in leisure centres and gyms - with schools, workplaces and exercise professionals also getting in on the action too.

Participating fitness facilities across the country will provide free activities on NFD to encourage people to be active. Schools will be participating in the ‘Take on the Teacher Challenge’, while workplaces are also invited to be active on the day via virtual classes.

Now in its fifth year, NFD allows people of all ages the chance to avail of free activities in their local community and a range of taster sessions including yoga, aqua-aerobics, exercise classes, pilates and fitness training, will be run - with social distancing in place. Ireland Active also has gym membership and equipment vouchers on offer, to be distributed to competition winners who get involved in participating leisure centres, gyms, schools and workplaces on the day.

NFD is spearheaded by Ireland Active and is supported by Sport Ireland, Healthy Ireland and the European Commission. The aim of the annual initiative is to promote the benefits of physical activity for people of all ages across Ireland while also showcasing the fantastic range of sports, facilities, and activity options available for people nationwide. This year, it once more coincides with the European Week of Sport (September 23-30) which is a Europe-wide event to promote sport and physical activity. Activities will be held indoors, outdoors and virtually, in compliance with Government protocols and social distancing guidelines. The delivery of NFD activities and resources is carried out in partnership with REPs Ireland, Cara and Swim Ireland.

“I’m thrilled to team up with Ireland Active once more this year to be part of their fifth annual National Fitness Day," Ireland Active ambassador and GAA All-Star, Aidan O’Mahony, said.

"As an ambassador for the initiative, I am delighted to help promote the importance of physical activity for people of all ages. Regular exercise is key in order to improve both our physical and mental health and to reduce stress. National Fitness Day is a superb opportunity to highlight the high-quality activities and facilities that are available for people throughout Ireland and I cannot wait to take part on the day!”

Information on the activities and participating facilities nationwide can be found on www.nationalfitnessday.ie and also across Ireland Active's social media channels.