Hobbies

The Wild Bunch

Hey all

New year, new start and all that.

Basically my missus says I need a hobby. Literally all I do is work 50 hours and in my free time I drink beer, gamble and play Football Manager- not conducive to a healthy lifestyle or bank balance! I have zero other hobbies!

What do fellow Gentleman do as a main hobby in their free time and do you guys have any recommendations?

Cheers

Fat Christy

Badminton and hiking - love them both! Planning on running more this year as well!!

Starscream25

Fairly expensive to get into but motorbiking is great fun aswell as the smaller DIY jobs you can do yourself with them.i changed my brake pads the other day, never knew I had it in me.

Mr_Muffin

I am also looking for new hobbies. I have a few at the moment - i play for a soccer team, hit the gym a few days a week and also do some cycling when the weather is good enough so it's all basically sports or exercising at the moment.

I think it's nice to have hobbies that you can do on your own but also have a few that allow you to mix with others and potentially meet some new people.

I am also interested to see what others do as hobbies as i would like to maybe try some new things this year.

Jawgap

Cycling - don't do it, it's addictive and you end up having to replace all your clothes when you lose weight!

On a more serious note - I got into cycling to lose weight and moved on from that. Then the cycle to work scheme came along and I encouraged my wife to get a bike - she's since sold that and bought a better bike!

It's a nice activity to do together. It doesn't have to be done to excess - plenty of mornings we just hop on the bikes and take a spin to a coffee shop or, in the summer, to have an ice cream. Sometimes, we just throw some food in a back pack and head off for a few hours, and have a picnic along the way.

We've also taken the bikes to various parts of the country and did some cycling there - a great start is the Western Greenway.

My other main hobby is shooting - clay pigeons that is. It can be expensive to get started but it's a pleasant morning out and it's very sociable. If you are competitively inclined there are also plenty of competitions to enter.

Lovely Bloke

Home Brewing.

Start off with a kit or two (there are kits available that will make some pretty decent beer), then move on to Extract Brews, where you control more of the flavour and ingredients, takes approx 6 weeks from brew day to drinkable beers.

Me and my buddies brew every 3 weeks, and it works out to less than a euro a pint, even including the odd equipment purchase.

You can go as deep into it as you like, recently we made a lovely IPA that we will be entering into competitions in the Spring.

There is a very good forum right here on Boards, lots of good advice from experienced guys.

flyingsnail

I took up fixing and running steam trains at weekends, now I don't have time for other hobbies

boobar

I took up cycling last Summer...not road racing...but cycling around country dirt tracks on a hybrid...really enjoyed it, great way to clear the head and improve health.

I bought an SLR camera a good while ago...expensive hobby when you start purchasing new lenses...I'm signing up for a photography course in January

I'm in the gym now as well...not really doing it for me.

sheesh

can you sing?

Choral singing is a nice interest you have your fixed hours of rehearsal and occasional concerts it is easy to plan around it too.

Photography: expensive enough but nice reason to get out

Hiking: really good and social too if you join a club.

fishing: nice easy going hobby but can get a bit obsessive too.

The Wild Bunch

My one regret is giving up on the guitar when I was 19 - I was starting to get really good but once booze and birds kicked in, I put it down for good.

Will dust down my old acoustic and re-string it - probably too old at 29 but one can still dream of being a rock star!

Cycling is also a terrific shout

AdFundum

Hiking is a good one. It's cheap and good for fitness. Over time, you might get binoculars and hiking becomes bird-watching. Both are enjoyable. If you like making things, a wood-turning class or woodwork class of some kind might be interesting. And languages - the alliance francais and the Goethe institute do courses.

Pawwed Rig

Running is an easy one as all you need is a pair of runners and off you go. There are plenty of all ability weekly events that will keep the motivation up.
A more expensive option is scuba diving. Ireland is a great place for it and there are tonnes of clubs all over

ancapailldorcha

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Running is an easy one as all you need is a pair of runners and off you go. There are plenty of all ability weekly events that will keep the motivation up.
A more expensive option is scuba diving. Ireland is a great place for it and there are tonnes of clubs all over

I was thinking of getting into running. Don't you need custom special shoes? I've seen a few places here with ads for them.

AdFundum

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

I was thinking of getting into running. Don't you need custom special shoes? I've seen a few places here with ads for them.

You can start with a good fitting pair of asics trainers for dirt cheap Then, if you stick with it, you can upgrade. If you are just running for fun, there is no need for all the gear really. Just make sure whatever trainers you use have decent cushioning and are a good fit.

Tramps Like Us

Jawgap wrote: »

Cycling - don't do it, it's addictive and you end up having to replace all your clothes when you lose weight!

On a more serious note - I got into cycling to lose weight and moved on from that. Then the cycle to work scheme came along and I encouraged my wife to get a bike - she's since sold that and bought a better bike!

It's a nice activity to do together. It doesn't have to be done to excess - plenty of mornings we just hop on the bikes and take a spin to a coffee shop or, in the summer, to have an ice cream. Sometimes, we just throw some food in a back pack and head off for a few hours, and have a picnic along the way.

We've also taken the bikes to various parts of the country and did some cycling there - a great start is the Western Greenway.

My other main hobby is shooting - clay pigeons that is. It can be expensive to get started but it's a pleasant morning out and it's very sociable. If you are competitively inclined there are also plenty of competitions to enter.

How does the bike to work scheme work?

Pawwed Rig

AdFundum wrote: »

You can start with a good fitting pair of asics trainers for dirt cheap Then, if you stick with it, you can upgrade. If you are just running for fun, there is no need for all the gear really. Just make sure whatever trainers you use have decent cushioning and are a good fit.

This exactly

Customs are for when you want to take things a little more seriously but before that any brand designed for jogging are fine. The biggest issue in running is the motivation factor. As you are in the UK join one of these http://www.parkrun.org.uk/events/events/
These are mixed ability 'fun runs' that happen every week. They are timed events so you can track your progress. Also a great place for meeting people and waking yourself up on a Saturday morning.

available in Ireland too http://www.parkrun.ie/

Jawgap

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

How does the bike to work scheme work?

Your employer buys you a bike and 'gives' it to you. You pay for the bike by having the amount (no more than 1k) taken from your salary. The salary 'sacrifice' is not counted for tax purposes - in other words, the money is removed then your tax liability is calculated therefore you are effectively getting about a 42% discount on a new bike.

As they say, other terms and conditions apply, but that's essentially it. the employer also benefits by not having to pay the PRSI on the money used to buy the bike.

There's a thread on it in Cycling

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056382170#

My own advice would be spend it all on the bike - avoid package deals that include lights, helmets etc. And buy more 'bike' than you need - if the bug bites you don't want to be changing bikes in 6 months to get a better 'steed' to suit your expanding hobby.

Unfortunately if you're self-employed you can't avail of the scheme.

Tramps Like Us

Jawgap wrote: »

Your employer buys you a bike and 'gives' it to you. You pay for the bike by having the amount (no more than 1k) taken from your salary. The salary 'sacrifice' is not counted for tax purposes - in other words, the money is removed then your tax liability is calculated therefore you are effectively getting about a 42% discount on a new bike.

As they say, other terms and conditions apply, but that's essentially it. the employer also benefits by not having to pay the PRSI on the money used to buy the bike.

There's a thread on it in Cycling

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056382170#

My own advice would be spend it all on the bike - avoid package deals that include lights, helmets etc. And buy more 'bike' than you need - if the bug bites you don't want to be changing bikes in 6 months to get a better 'steed' to suit your expanding hobby.

Unfortunately if you're self-employed you can't avail of the scheme.

that sounds great, my employer definitely does it I'll have to do that. Thanks.... now to decide what bike haha

syklops

I, too, have identified a need for a non-technical hobby. My job and all my existing hobbies are all technical in nature which requires large amounts of internet based research. Effectively meaning, I spend the bulk of my waking time in front of a computer.

So having taken advice from friends, I bought myself a model air plane kit which I intend to start soon. I'm also considering taking up chess and joining a chess group. I'ts not so much what you do, its the doing of something different.

I'm also open to other ideas.

Lardy

Field Archery is great hobby for getting out and about. Meet lots of new people and clubs shoot pretty much every week. Great fun and exorcise.

Jawgap

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

that sounds great, my employer definitely does it I'll have to do that. Thanks.... now to decide what bike haha

A lot of people are put off by drop bar (racing bikes) - don't be. At the very least look at a fast hybrid (flat handle bars, skinny tyres etc). They're more fun and more adaptable - as someone suggested earlier in the thread, you can go off road on to light trails, canal towpaths etc.

Avoid mountain bikes unless you are going to go up and down actual mountains!

And avoid anything with a suspension.

Pawwed Rig

Jawgap wrote: »

Avoid mountain bikes unless you are going to go up and down actual mountains!

And avoid anything with a suspension.

That is what I have and cycling on the road with it is slow going. Mine was helpfully referred to a a bso* in the cycling forum

*bike shaped object:pac:

Gormley85

flyingsnail wrote: »

I took up fixing and running steam trains at weekends, now I don't have time for other hobbies

That sounds interesting. Have you any other info on this. How to get started. Where to buy etc

Tramps Like Us

Jawgap wrote: »

A lot of people are put off by drop bar (racing bikes) - don't be. At the very least look at a fast hybrid (flat handle bars, skinny tyres etc). They're more fun and more adaptable - as someone suggested earlier in the thread, you can go off road on to light trails, canal towpaths etc.

Avoid mountain bikes unless you are going to go up and down actual mountains!

And avoid anything with a suspension.

I cycle to and from work (ok its only ten/15 mins each way) on a mountain bike so I'd be getting a road bike, there's just so many

flyingsnail

Gormley85 wrote: »

That sounds interesting. Have you any other info on this. How to get started. Where to buy etc

I do it with the railway preservation society of Ireland as part of their Dublin based operations (there is also work done in Belfast / Whitehead). To start all you really need is a pair of steel toe boots, some overalls / clothes you will never see clean again and membership in the society (Required for insurance).

We are kind of wound down for the next week or two taking a break after Christmas, if you are interested in joining the team i suggest you send a message via the facebook page below.

http://steamtrainsireland.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RPSIDublin

Jawgap

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

That is what I have and cycling on the road with it is slow going. Mine was helpfully referred to a a bso* in the cycling forum

*bike shaped object:pac:

MTBs have knobbly tyres - more rubber in contact with the road means more friction means greater effort.

Likewise, suspensions waste energy. The stiffer the frame the more energy is transferred to the road. Suspensions when they flex absorb energy, so it's best to avoid them unless you need them for off-road riding.

Good time to be buying a bike. The 2015 models are in the shops so there'll be good deals to be had on the 2014 stock.

If you're buying focus on the groupset / drive train - it's worth spending to get a decent one. Things like wheels, saddles etc can be easily upgraded over time.

Keano

I took up golf about 3 years ago and it's now an addiction! I was one of the founding members our very own boards golf society. Members from all over the place meeting once a month to play some great courses. It's a tough game as no two days are the same but I've put a lot of practice in to hopefully improve this year.

Slippin Jimmy

I know that you are looking for a hobby that may be healthier; can't help you with that. But I can improve your bank balance if you like the cinema.

During last year I got myself a cineworld unlimited card. I can't recommend it enough. Basically you can see as many films as you like for €21.40 a month. Seen some gems last year, also seen some crap. Don't feel too bad about the crap ones cause of the deal.

Alanstrainor

I have quite a few really, I love photography, cycling and cars. There's usually something to fix on weekends, or somewhere to go out and get air/photos. Photography in particular is great and easy to get into. No need for a DSLR for beginners, any camera will do!

Gormley85

flyingsnail wrote: »

I do it with the railway preservation society of Ireland as part of their Dublin based operations (there is also work done in Belfast / Whitehead). To start all you really need is a pair of steel toe boots, some overalls / clothes you will never see clean again and membership in the society (Required for insurance).

We are kind of wound down for the next week or two taking a break after Christmas, if you are interested in joining the team i suggest you send a message via the facebook page below.

You know that would defintiely be up my street if I lived in Dublin Oh well.

Gormley85

Duffff-Man wrote: »

During last year I got myself a cineworld unlimited card. I can't recommend it enough. Basically you can see as many films as you like for €21.40 a month. Seen some gems last year, also seen some crap. Don't feel too bad about the crap ones cause of the deal.

I never heard of that before. Do all cinemas take them or just certain ones?

eeguy

Gormley85 wrote: »

I never heard of that before. Do all cinemas take them or just certain ones?

Just cineworld I think.

My friend has one of those and heads into town whenever he's bored to the cinema. You get cut price food and drink there too, including pints.

I do a bit of kayaking. The club provides all the gear so it doesn't cost too much as a beginner. It's very quiet now with the short days and cold weather, so I'm looking for something else to occupy my time.

Would love to do a martial art or MMA maybe.

The Black Oil

I've been thinking about cycling as I might go on a guided holiday a la Red Spokes, which I've heard good things about.

I'm doing a short photography course and hope to learn some of the technical side. Automatic settings are what I want to avoid, tbh. The last course I signed up for was cancelled, so I'm hoping this one goes ahead. Interested to hear course suggestions (beginner level) in case this one is also cancelled.

On the running situation, I need to do this more often. The only advice I got and was to get a gait analysis done before you buy any runners. Look after your feet, they'll look after you type thing. If you're aiming for amateur level/running infrequently, start off with something handy like the Couch to 5K program. It doesn't matter a jot if you have to go back and repeat a week. You're not competing with anybody and it doesn't matter if you're wearing an ancient t-shirt or look like an eejit when out and about. :pac:

ryan_t

Lardy wrote: »

Field Archery is great hobby for getting out and about. Meet lots of new people and clubs shoot pretty much every week. Great fun and exorcise.

Where do you shoot? I am new to Ireland and brought my bow with me, though my closest club looks like UCD which is for students only.

Slippin Jimmy

Gormley85 wrote: »

I never heard of that before. Do all cinemas take them or just certain ones?

Just cineworld on parnell st.

Aidric

Swimming as a means to staying somewhat in shape. Since the age of about 12 I swim 2 or 3 times a week and love the relative solitude of the pool.

I also play tennis since a young age but that's mainly confined to the Summer these days. One of my aims for 2015 is to buy a decent road bike and take up cycling.

As for non fitness related hobbies I love film and reading.

astonaidan

Im going taking up learning to cook, it was only when I realised Ive a very narrow range of foods I eat, I thought I may aswell do it

boobar

astonaidan wrote: »

Im going taking up learning to cook, it was only when I realised Ive a very narrow range of foods I eat, I thought I may aswell do it

Jamie Oliver's 15 minute recipes are a good place to start. Tasty but nice and simple.

With some recipe books I'd struggle to find the ingredients never mind cook the meal.

Thundercats Ho

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

Home Brewing.

Start off with a kit or two (there are kits available that will make some pretty decent beer), then move on to Extract Brews, where you control more of the flavour and ingredients, takes approx 6 weeks from brew day to drinkable beers.

Me and my buddies brew every 3 weeks, and it works out to less than a euro a pint, even including the odd equipment purchase.

You can go as deep into it as you like, recently we made a lovely IPA that we will be entering into competitions in the Spring.

There is a very good forum right here on Boards, lots of good advice from experienced guys.

I was given a brewkit for christmas, so i'll be over on that forum in the coming weeks asking all sorts of stupid questions!

jayo26

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

that sounds great, my employer definitely does it I'll have to do that. Thanks.... now to decide what bike haha

me and my partner got two bikes this way a shop in town gave us a docket for a rather expensive bike for 950 euro she brought it to her work and they give her invoice for price the shop then gave us two really good bikes and child seat for value of the invoice, cheating i know but we have two bikes and seat so we can do something sporty as family together

JaseBelleVie

Take up a martial art. I've been doing Ju Jitsu for the better part of 5 years now. It is amazing how good it is for you, how it instills a sense of discipline and self-control and it's just basically dead handy should you ever find yourself in a sticky situation. The tenet that is pretty universal among martial arts of all kinds is that you would learn said martial art so that you might never use it (in a fight, say). But if you are caught by someone who tries to have a go, it's no harm to just be able to defend yourself, effectively.

The best one to start with could be any of the following:

Ju Jitsu

Tae Kwon Do

Karate

Don't dip into MMA too fast. It's a lot more intense and it's no harm to have fundamentals from another art first, if that is your thing.

Radon Alien

Is Ju Jitsu available as classes in a gym or is it special gyms that specialise in the art? I see alot of people are taking it up lately, might jump on the bandwagon

JaseBelleVie

Radon Alien wrote: »

Is Ju Jitsu available as classes in a gym or is it special gyms that specialise in the art? I see alot of people are taking it up lately, might jump on the bandwagon

Loads of options available for Ju Jitsu (in and around Dublin anyway):

-http://ecjja.com/

-http://royalgrapplingacademy.com/

-http://kyuzogym.com/tag/jiu-jitsu-dublin/

Tae Kwon Do:

-http://www.eastcoasttkd.com/

-http://www.taekwondo.ie/

-http://www.dublintkd.com/

-http://www.taekwon-do.ie/

-http://www.sd-tkd.com/


I'm sure a further trawl of Google would bring plenty of more similar results!

Radon Alien

I will be moving home to Wicklow in February so will give all those links a look for sure. Hopefully something closer to home :P

JaseBelleVie

Radon Alien wrote: »

I will be moving home to Wicklow in February so will give all those links a look for sure. Hopefully something closer to home :P

Just looked at the East Coast TKD site. They're based in Wicklow, with schools in Bray, Wicklow Town, Newtown and a couple of others I think. So that may be the one for you!

Radon Alien

Newtown! Perfect. Will email them tomorrow.

kalych

Taken up Dodgeball. Seemed like a stupid idea, but gave it a shot. Absolutely love it now.

JaseHeath

JaseHeath wrote: »

Take up a martial art. I've been doing Ju Jitsu for the better part of 5 years now. It is amazing how good it is for you, how it instills a sense of discipline and self-control and it's just basically dead handy should you ever find yourself in a sticky situation. The tenet that is pretty universal among martial arts of all kinds is that you would learn said martial art so that you might never use it (in a fight, say). But if you are caught by someone who tries to have a go, it's no harm to just be able to defend yourself, effectively.

The best one to start with could be any of the following:

Ju Jitsu

Tae Kwon Do

Karate

Don't dip into MMA too fast. It's a lot more intense and it's no harm to have fundamentals from another art first, if that is your thing.

Whats that kinda craic like with regards to people who aren't in great shape?

I'm in dire, dire shape. Fitness is atrocious and weight is far too heavy.

I dropped a few stone last year but put it back on. I'd like to join something like this, as 1) a bit of a weight loss aid, 2) a reason to keep the weight off (doing something physical), 3) something to do to pass a bit of time (and of course, 4) cos I'd like to be able to beat up groups of 20+ people in one go ).


Are self-defence type classes a bit of a waste if you're a fat chap? (ie; are you better off trying to shift as much weight as possible first, or can you still participate as a bigger lad?).

I kinda feel like, if its the kinda thing where you get paired off in small groups, it'd be unfair on whoever gets teamed with me as I'd be too big for them to really be able to 'practice on'...?

Pawwed Rig

Deleted User wrote: »

Are self-defence type classes a bit of a waste if you're a fat chap? (ie; are you better off trying to shift as much weight as possible first, or can you still participate as a bigger lad?).

Not at all. Do this in conjunction to compliment a more healthy lifestyle. If you put these things off you will never do them.

Alot of martial arts are about self defense. Sometimes a big lad is just the ticket for practise

JaseBelleVie

Deleted User wrote: »

Whats that kinda craic like with regards to people who aren't in great shape?

I'm in dire, dire shape. Fitness is atrocious and weight is far too heavy.

I dropped a few stone last year but put it back on. I'd like to join something like this, as 1) a bit of a weight loss aid, 2) a reason to keep the weight off (doing something physical), 3) something to do to pass a bit of time (and of course, 4) cos I'd like to be able to beat up groups of 20+ people in one go ).


Are self-defence type classes a bit of a waste if you're a fat chap? (ie; are you better off trying to shift as much weight as possible first, or can you still participate as a bigger lad?).

I kinda feel like, if its the kinda thing where you get paired off in small groups, it'd be unfair on whoever gets teamed with me as I'd be too big for them to really be able to 'practice on'...?

Not at all. Believe me, the guys who run martial arts classes are well aware of the physical abilities of various students. They won't throw you about the place. And believe me, your fitness will pick up very rapidly. Quicker than you will think.

It is well worth while going to classes, even if you think you're not up for it.

It's tough at first, but stick with it. It gets easier and you'll feel so much better.

Pawwed Rig

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Not at all. Do this in conjunction to compliment a more healthy lifestyle. If you put these things off you will never do them.

Alot of martial arts are about self defense. Sometimes a big lad is just the ticket for practise

Might take a more in-depth look then, yeah. I think there are classes Drogheda but I never looked too deeply into.

Does the average Joe Soap need anything specific for this kinda thing? (gear-wise?) Or do you just show up in a tracksuit?




In regards to the thread in general: My hobbies are non existant these days. I'm looking to just get out of the house a bit and meet some new people (i'm a massive loner at the moment, which I'm grand with, but it's starting to get a bit boring now).


I got into jogging/running in the summer time and had intended to join the Drogheda running club. But they stopped taking members when i looked into joining late last year. So was planning to do that this year (only issue is I haven't been out in a while so my running has gone to the dogs, unfortunately).

I did about 1.8km on Friday evening. Took me about 10 mins (which i was happy with, to be honest) but I nearly keeled over and died at the end of it. So gonna work on my fitness a bit and then join in February, I think.