Brought to you by Cork On Ice.

Well this beats slogging away on the treadmill for an hour.

Spending just 60 minutes ice skating (or attempting to ice skate) is as effective at torching calories as a sweaty exercise class at the gym.

With Cork On Ice open for the season at Mahon Point, we’ve been praying for a reason to get our skates on and join the kids in the rink.

Now we have it; just one hour of ice skating will burn roughly 637 calories – more than enough to cancel out that delicious hot chocolate afterwards.

As well as burning calories and getting your heart pumping, ice skating has a host of other body benefits too.

The skating movement builds and tones the muscles in the legs like nobody’s business and, if you return a few times over the Christmas break, it can even increase your overall flexibility.

So, as well as a cardio workout, you’re also getting an effective bum-firming session too.

On top of all that, exercise and laughter release those stress-beating, feel-good endorphins into the brain – you really can’t ask for more than that from a wholesome, fun, family-friendly Christmas activity.

Cork on Ice is now open at Mahon Point. To book your tickets, visit the website. 

Main image: Ice Skate cupcake toppers, €12 here.