Ireland's second National Fitness Day will take place at the end of this month and this year's event is focusing on schools, with students urged to ‘take on the teachers'.

National Fitness Day will take place on Friday, September 29, and it aims to promote the benefits of physical activity. It is spearheaded by Ireland Active, which is the representative body for Ireland's leisure, health and fitness sector.

As part of the event, participating Ireland Active members will be offering some activities in their facilities free of charge to members of the public, such as yoga, pilates, boxercise and aqua aerobics.

All free sessions will be run by qualified and registered fitness instructors.

This year, National Fitness Day will also be focusing on schools, with students and staff urged to take part in the ‘take on the teachers' challenge. This will see students and teachers competing against each other in fun games and activities, with prizes to be won for the best school competition photo.

Physical activity is essential for health and overall wellbeing. Adults are recommended to undertake a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate activity five times a week, while children need 60 minutes of vigorous activity every day.

However, just 32% of adults, 19% of primary school children and 12% of secondary school students achieve this.

Launching the campaign, former Cork All-Ireland camogie champion, Anna Geary, explained how important sport has been to her.

"I have benefitted so much from being active throughout my life, be it the friends I have made from sport or how staying fit and being active continues to help me with daily 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 would encourage everyone to get involved in National Fitness Day's ‘come and try' activities," she said.

Also speaking at the launch, Una May of Sport Ireland, emphasised that the importance of participating in sport ‘cannot be underestimated'.

"Even small improvements in participation levels will confer health, social and economic benefits, both for the individual and for society as a whole," she noted.

For more information on this event, including details on which venues will be providing free sessions, click here

*Pictured are National Fitness Day ambassadors, former Munster rugby player, Alan Quinlan and former Cork All-Ireland camogie champion, Anna Geary