JOE catches up with Rory McCarthy, the latest man to bravely join Bootcamp Ireland as part of the JOE Challenge.
Name: Rory McCarthy
Age: 28
Location: Dublin
Weight: 79kg
Occupation: IT
JOE: Were you exercising much before you got started?
I play hurling and football and we’ve just come to the end of our year so I would have been fairly active. My fitness would be high enough I suppose. I had been going to the gym but my membership was up so I was looking around for something else. It was perfect timing for this.
JOE: How did you get on during your first session?
On the first night we were in Terenure College – out on the pitch. It was lashing and it got very muddy so it was tough going. It involved a lot of circuits with sprinting in between so you push as much as you like – it’s really up to yourself how hard it is. There were girls there and guys at different levels so everyone gets their own thing out of it. But I enjoyed it.
So the weather was a big factor…
It was, but I went out to Wesley last night, which was on Astroturf, and it made a big difference to not be rolling around in the muck.
Was it what you expected?
I had seen Bootcamp classes around Bushy Park in the summer and it looked tough going. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. As they say the hardest part is getting there and once you arrive you just get stuck in and it’s good craic.
Any aches and pains?
After the first night we did a lot of lunges and squats so my legs were a bit sore the next day, but since then it’s been fine.
What is the fitness standard of the others at Bootcamp?
It varies. In Terenure they have one class but in Wesley they have intermediate and advanced and I fell in with the advanced last night. But you really get out of it what you want yourself, it does cater for everyone. But most of the lads in the advanced would be fit enough.
Do you think you’ll stick it out?
I will definitely stick it out, I’m really enjoying it. As I said, the timing of it is perfect for someone who plays GAA. It’s ideal for someone who has wound up this season and is gearing up for next year.
Think you could hack it at Bootcamp Ireland? Click here for more information.
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