Musician Damien Dempsey tells Patricia Weston he believes exercise is a great addiction to have as we need exercise to keep us balanced
How do you keep fit?
I keep fit by swimming, jogging, hitting the bag and I swim every day if I get the chance.
Are you bothered about your appearance?
You have to be when you're on stage because you have to look presentable.
Is there anything about your body you'd like to change?
I'd like to have a six-pack - it's in there somewhere.
What's your diet like?
I try to eat fruit and vegetables, but that doesn't always work when I'm on tour. When I'm on the road I eat crisps and ham and cheese rolls but when I'm at home I eat lots of fruit, salad, tuna for my lunch and chicken, fish or steak for my dinner.
Do you follow a specific eating plan?
Yes, I use food combining. Before a gig I'll eat meat and salad as it helps the body digest.
What does exercise mean for you?
Exercise is like an addiction and it's a great addiction to have. Years ago we were more physical so I think we need exercise to keep us balanced.
Damien Dempsey features in the new series, This Note's For You, presented by Tom Dunne, on RTÉ One on Thursdays at 10.15pm.
Patricia Weston's exercise prescription:
Hitting a punch bag is a great way to release unwanted tension and aggression and get both aerobically and anaerobically fit. It's also a relatively cheap activity; you can buy a punch bag in most sports stores and hang it from the ceiling of your spare room or shed.
Bag training is a high-intensity activity. You not only use your arms to punch, you also use your legs to circle the bag to generate power for punches.
Anaerobic fitness, which is higher intensity than aerobic work and uses up oxygen more quickly, is achieved by punching at a faster, more intense pace:
Hit the bag until your arms feel heavy or sore. Try a high-intensity punching round for two-three minutes at a time to improve aerobic fitness.
Straight across punches and jabs help to develop power in the shoulder muscles and chest. Hooks and uppercuts work the back and arms.
Bag work also improves co-ordination. Try punching the bag when it comes towards you. If you hit it too early or late it won't bounce rhythmically and you will miss.
pweston@eircom.net
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.