Almost 100 gyms and leisure facilities nationwide are set to host a range of free activities on Friday, in order to encourage people to become more physically active.

The initiative is part of Ireland's first National Fitness Day (September 16) and activities ranging from swimming and gym sessions to zumba and yoga will be available to members of the public free of charge.

Being active is essential for good health and adults are recommended to undertake a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five times a week. Children should be getting 60 minutes of vigorous activity every day.

However, only 32% of adults meet this recommendation, while just 19% of primary school children achieve their 60-minute recommendation.

Some 850,000 adults are currently members of gyms or fitness facilities and this initiative is hoping to introduce more people to the many activities that are available throughout the country.

According to Cork camogie player and leader on Ireland's Fittest Family, Anna Geary, who is the ambassador for this event, fitness and physical activity ‘has played a key role' throughout her life.

"I have seen first hand the positive impact of regular physical activity on the health and wellbeing of people no matter what their age. I am delighted to support National Fitness Day, which will hopefully highlight the many different ways in which people can get physically active. There really is something for everyone," she commented.

National Fitness Day is being led by Ireland Active, the representative body for Ireland's leisure and fitness industry, and is supported by Healthy Ireland and Sport Ireland. It forms part of the European Week of Sport.

For more information on the event, including a list of centres offering free activities on September 16, click here