Opinion: With evening closing in now is a good time to get moving - Kilkenny Live

The clocks have gone back and we are stepping into winter and bracing ourselves for the darkest season of the year.

With daylight fast diminishing and the inclement weather upon us it can be challenging to get outside to exercise, especially during the week.

Long, dark evenings can lead people down many roads of temptation from overeating, to having a tipple or two too often to binge watching the latest TV series, which has never been easier with the various streaming platforms and player on terrestrial TV.

Last month I signed up to the Ormonde Leisure Club and so far it has been an enjoyable jaunt to the gym and I am getting used to my routine of exercises. It takes a long time to form or break a habit but I am slowly getting used to incorporating the gym into my weekly routine. At the Ormonde Leisure Club new members are assessed and given a fitness programme to manage which is then monitored by one of the fitness instructors.

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The Ormonde Leisure Club is far more than a gym - it also boasts a 21m swimming pool, sauna, steam room and a Jacuzzi. The pool is impressive in size and the sauna and steam room are great for relaxation.

Saunas and steam rooms, especially at this time of the year, also have great health benefits and studies have shown that regular sauna use in winter time can help reduce the incidence of flus and cold and also reduce inflammation. One of the main benefits of using a steam room is that it can help with circulation and lower blood pressure. What better way to relax then to step into the warmth of a jacuzzi or steam room on a cold and dark November evening and let your muscles and mind relax.

The Ormonde Leisure Club also has a range of fitness classes that are free to members in the morning and evenings. These include aqua fit which is a fun fitness class that’s great for boosting energy, burning fat and improving well-being. This low-impact workout appropriate for people of all ages and fitness abilities.