The Underground was founded in 2011 by personal trainer Patrick Mackeogh, and has since earned an identity as one of the most rugged and effective workouts in Ireland. We have found it is possible to keep a tough exterior, of gruelling workouts and hard music, while developing and maintaining a friendly and approachable atmosphere. What the Underground really prides itself on, is its members. After 7 years of service, we know our members are expecting a challenge every time they come through those doors.
Our passion at Underground Fitness is to deliver a solid service that leads you to your goals, while having a great time along the way. We believe if its not fun, if its not challenging, if it doesn’t excite you and if it doesn’t keep you guessing, then whats the point? But that doesn’t mean we lay off, quite the opposite. We have become the industry leaders in exciting workouts because what really drives us is the look on peoples faces when we set up some new sort of tortuous infliction in a workout. The day we stop seeing those faces is the day we throw in the towel, and that ain’t happening any time soon.
The Underground actually began as small group workouts held in our personal training studio, Yourfitness, in 2010. These classes were put together to accommodate our personal training clients who have reached the end of their programs. We just found they weren’t able to continue their progress without us, they were having trouble creating the necessary workouts by themselves in commercial gyms. So we put these small groups together, which became big groups, which led us to take on the basement area, and in 2011 The Underground was born. We have since moved to our location on Kill Avenue to better accommodate the services required by our members.
Since then we thrive to excite, to assist, to educate, and yes on some level to entertain our members. We want to look back at what we did and know we left our mark, that we were the first to really do something different. It goes far beyond the rewarding feeling we get when we help people live healthier lives, this is something we can all be proud of. Thats what gets us up at 5.30am to kick those classes off.
PATRICK MACKEOGH
Patrick set up Yourfitness in 2009, which ultimately led to The Underground in 2010 (and changing to the umbrella – Underground Fitness). Patrick has been working in the industry for 15 years, and has well known faces like Georgia Salpa, Roz Purcell, Daniella Moyles and Holly Carpenter, as well as doing numerous seminars and TV Spots. Originally a business graduate, his passion lies in creativity and designing and implementing what can be enjoyed. Not the best sportsman to be honest, he played school rugby, but he really enjoyed the training element of it all. Quite quickly he became the go to guy for support. This naturally stepped into Personal Training. Known for stupid analogies he tries to really make people understand what they are doing and why. As with any passion real reward comes with passing on the torch. He has constantly tried to stay varied in his education, avoiding getting sucked into one training method. This has given him the experience to guide 100’s of clients to their goals.
ACCREDITATIONS
- ITEC Personal Training
- KG Elite – Strength and Conditioning Level 2
- RKC 1 – Kettlebell Certification
- Crossfit Level 1
- Biosignature Nutrition Practitioner
- NKC Kettlebell Instructor
- PPC 1 – Progressive Calisthenics Instructor
KARL CURRAN
A love and passion for sport got Karl thinking about a career in the health and fitness industry. He played rugby at a very high level winning a senior and junior cup medal in Blackrock College before representing Blackrock College RFC and Clontarf Rugby Club at senior level. His career was cut short due to injury and now in line with his qualifications coaches Blackrock’s SCT and Clontarf’s U20s as well and being head of the strength and conditioning coaching for the U20s team.
Karl has years of experience in personal training, since then growing and expanding his knowledge base to help many people achieve their goals. Alongside his own personal training, Karl joined the Underground team in 2013 and has since then been an integral part of what we are, continuously striving to provide a friendly, professional and goal driven service.
Karl believes in a realistic, balanced and science based approach in terms of designing exercise programmes. He believes starting is the hardest, and that if you are just willing to make that first leap great things will happen.
Karl holds a BSC in Sports and Exercise from UCD and the NQEHS from the national training centre.
ACCREDITATIONS
- BSC in Sports and Exercise from UCD
- NQEHS from The National Training Centre
- CSCS Qualification
- Stage 4 IRFU Rugby Coach
- Schools Strength and Conditioning Coach
NEIL O’KANE
Neil joined us in the summer of 2017 and has been a great addition to our staff. Neil has already amassed a wealth of experience in the fitness and S&C industry. Neil has worked with Leinster Rugby, International youth basketball and various school/club sports teams at all levels. He has also worked in personal training and gym instruction/classes of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Neil has developed an effective and adaptive coaching style tailored to individual client needs. He has a personable approach and enjoys getting to know his clients and develop relationships. During classes, Neil’s personality shines through with his helpfulness, honesty and an easy going nature.
Neil has played at the top level of Irish soccer at youth level with Bray Wanderers in League of Ireland and currently plays in Leinster Senior League. He has also played rugby, cross country running and various other sports for the majority of his youth. As well as currently playing soccer, Neil has a passion for keeping fit, healthy and athletic. His gym training consists of mainly Olympic weightlifting, strength/athletic performance training, and calisthenics.
ACCREDITATIONS
- BSC Honours Degree in Sports Strength & Conditioning
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
- ITEC Personal Training
- ITEC Gym Instruction
- Excellence in Functional Screening Certificate
- FAI & GAA Coaching Courses Level 1
- CPR, AED & Practical First Aid
- Code of Ethics for Child Protection Awareness in Sport certificate
