{"id":2617,"date":"2011-01-06T10:57:04","date_gmt":"2011-01-06T09:57:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.whatsonni.com\/blog\/?p=2617"},"modified":"2011-01-06T10:57:04","modified_gmt":"2011-01-06T09:57:04","slug":"national-trust-invites-local-people-to-skip-the-gym-and-lose-the-christmas-weight-%e2%80%93-outdoors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/2011\/01\/national-trust-invites-local-people-to-skip-the-gym-and-lose-the-christmas-weight-%e2%80%93-outdoors\/","title":{"rendered":"National Trust invites local people to skip the gym and lose the Christmas weight \u2013 outdoors."},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s an all too familiar feeling. What seemed like a good idea to have that third mince pie or extra serving of pudding a few weeks back has left you feeling sluggish and feeling the pinch around the waistband.\u00a0 With the average person gaining 5lbs over the party season the National Trust is giving you the chance to shed some of your weight gain with a new month long, outdoor challenge.<\/p>\n

The challenge builds on recent research by the University of Essex which shows that exercising in a natural environment boosts people\u2019s physical and mental health more than going to indoor gyms, even in winter.\u00a0 This suggests that the Outdoor Gym Challenge, which can be done anywhere – not just in the breathtaking outdoors places looked after by the Trust – could prove to be far more beneficial and less costly than signing up for New Year gym membership, 60 per cent of which are given up in the first six months.<\/p>\n

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Cycling at Castleward<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exercises in the challenge include power walking, tree press ups and \u2018spotty dogs\u2019 (on the spot step backs using opposite arm and leg).<\/p>\n

In Northern Ireland the National Trust has an abundance of properties with perfect outdoor gyms. \u00a0At Castle Ward in County Down explore the stunning 820 acre walled demesne with walking, running and cycling trails. There\u2019s a popular 3.2 mile running route and a 2.4 mile woodland route which is a good all over body workout as the terrain works every muscle and there\u2019s plenty of scenery to keep the mind alert.<\/p>\n

Rowallane Garden and Minnowburn both offer long walking trails and ample safe space to run and exercise in the outdoors.\u00a0 Whilst on the outskirts of Belfast, Divis and the Black Mountain is a walkers paradise where you can combine a walk with a spot of geocaching- an outdoor activity in which you have to seek and find caches using GPS technology. There are four caches hidden in this dramatic, windswept landscape which take in the summit of Black Mountain as well as the National Trust visitor centre and a circular way-marked walk around the mountain.<\/p>\n

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Downhill Demesne<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Or why not head to Portstewart Strand where many walkers and families enjoy the two miles of magnificent golden sands.\u00a0 A super way marked trail at the top of the sand ladder meanders through 6,000 year old dunes to the river edge at the Bann Estuary.\u00a0 The serenity of the estuary provides habitats for shelducks and other waders \u2013 a wonderful contrast to the wind and waves of the open beach.<\/p>\n

Further along in County Fermanagh, Castle Coole and Florence Court both offer perfect outdoor gym spaces for walkers, joggers and keen runners.\u00a0 Cyclists can also gather some speed at Florence court along the cycle trails on site.<\/p>\n

Other key sites include;<\/strong><\/p>\n