One-stop shop in Athenry proving healthy option

Date Published: 14-Feb-2013

WITH people becoming more conscious of their general well being and physical conditioning, one well-known Galway sportsman has come up with a novel idea to promote health and fitness in Athenry and its surrounds.

To most, Menlo native Seamie Crowe will need little introduction, having enjoyed success in a myriad of sports, including Gaelic football, hurling and soccer. However, it is his new health and fitness centre, entitled ‘District’, in Raheen Industrial Estate in Athenry that is causing a stir these days.

In many respects, it is an ambitious concept – to, basically, create a one-stop shop to meet all of a person’s health and fitness needs. As a result, District not only boasts of a state-of-the-art gym – an impressive facility by any stretch of the imagination – but also an indoor astro-turf pitch and two mirrored dance studios, one of which houses Hession’s School of Irish Dancing, which is run by Seamie’s wife and professional performer Mary.

A myriad of additional services – including a wellness centre and a physiotherapy clinic – and other activities are also offered. These activities vary from kettlebells and Pilates to circuit training and other specialised classes, along with accommodating a wide range of teams and clubs.

The whole process to get the centre to this point in time – it is due to be officially opened in March – has taken Crowe 18 months. Initially, it was just an empty warehouse but the 32-year-old says from Day 1 he saw the potential in it.

“I started building it one section at a time,” continues Crowe. “The gym was first and we began doing classes, such as circuit training. Then I got the studio built for the Hession School of Irish Dancing and they started straight away. It was just a snowball effect after that; bit by bit, I kept adding to it.”

To date, the success of District – so called because of the variety of sports, services and activities it offers – has been down to ‘word of mouth’, particularly from the teams which have availed of the strength and conditioning training that Crowe provides.

“It is all functional training we do and it is sports specific [to the group training]” outlines Crowe, who has undertaken a number of health and fitness courses over the last decade and is certified accordingly. “So, if you are training GAA or soccer – we have also had rugby in the past – it is geared towards that. Having played these sports myself, I know what is required to meet the needs of the players.”

Indeed, Crowe can certainly offer a wealth of experience and his roll of honour is as extensive as it is impressive. Taking a brief overview, he has won two Gaelic football county championships and an All-Ireland senior club title with Salthill/Knocknacarra; he claimed an All-Ireland Junior ‘B’ hurling crown with Menlo Emmetts; and he has collected a plethora of silverware with local clubs Mervue and, in later years, Athenry FC.

He first sprang to prominence, though, back in 1996 when he joined Wolves in the English League and over the next six years he enjoyed and endured – in equal measures – all the trials and tribulations of life as a professional footballer.

“I will say it straight out, at the end of the day, anyone going over to England, if you are good enough you are going to make it. Hand on heart, maybe I just wasn’t good enough to make it as a professional footballer at the highest level.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.