About The Masters Program
Physiotherapy-led strength and rehabilitation class for over-55s.
Established June 2021, in a post-lockdown Dublin, we were eager to get older adults active again, and give them a long term plan, rather than short term physio. We began in June 2021 with 9 members and two classes per week, with a clear vision - to help our members get FITTER and not FRAILER as they got older - and that’s exactly what happened
How It All Started
The Masters Program began in June 2021 - not as a business plan or a commercial endeavour - but out of necessity.
At RAPID, our physiotherapy clinic, we were used to seeing over 55s with sore knees, shoulders, hips and backs. And 9 times out of 10, the answer was that they needed to get stronger, and fitter and more mobile to manage and improve their issues.
We gave dozens of people their rehabilitation and their strength programs - and sometimes they followed the plan perfectly. But sometimes they didn't. They didn't want to do the exercises at home. They mightn't do them correctly. They didn't have the equipment. They didn't want to join a local gym. They didn't feel that local gyms catered for their age group or for their medical / injury history.
We couldn't find a service which could manage their medical conditions / current injuries from a physiotherapy standpoint, but also strengthen them and load them (safely!) from a strength and conditioning standpoint. So we created one.
We truly believe that Strength Training is your Secret Weapon Against Aging! We have seen 100's of people completely change their life. We have seen 100's of people in their 60's, 70's and 80's get FITTER and not FRAILER over the past few years. This isn't normal for the vast majority of older adults. It's completely normal in our group.
Why is the whole world not doing this?
The Masters Program is designed by chartered physiotherapists. Our main component are our in-person classes which are led by a chartered physiotherapist and a strength coach. Every new member completes a prerequisite physiotherapy consultation prior to joining the group where we go through a full medical history, injury history, movement screen and help build your initial (individualised) Foundation Program.
Where We Are Now
As you can see from the group images above the Masters Program has grown steadily over the past 4 years and continues to evolve thanks to our incredible members. We support a diverse group of older adults from 55-87 years of age who all share a common goal: to get FITTER, not FRAILER as they continue to enjoy life with more confidence.
We are extremely proud of what we have created, hugely grateful to all of our members, past and present, and even more focused on bringing this service to more and more communities in the coming months and years
Strength Training is your Secret Weapon Against Ageing, and we are on a mission to make it the norm amongst older adults in Ireland
We continue to improve our classes, equipment and techniques, using the latest evidence in physiotherapy and exercise science. We are determined to make this the best service of it's kind.
Meet the Team Behind The Masters Program
A combination of Chartered Physiotherapists and expert strength and conditioning coaches.
Every session is designed and supervised by experts who understand both the clinical and practical needs of ageing bodies.
Mike Murphy is the Clinic Owner and Head Physiotherapist at RAPID. He was one of the Founders of the Masters Program. Mike holds a B.Sc. in Physiotherapy and an M.Sc. in Sports & Exercise Medicine, both from Trinity College Dublin. He is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Mike takes a modern, evidence-based approach to rehabilitation.
Mike Murphy is a Chartered Physiotherapist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with a Master's in Sports & Exercise Medicine from Trinity College Dublin. His clinical philosophy blends modern physiotherapy with tailored strength and conditioning to ensure lasting recovery, long-term resilience and a return to full activity.
Mike has worked across all levels of sport and rehabilitation, including at the renowned Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin and the WellSport Clinic in Austin, Texas. He holds additional qualifications through the Titleist Performance Institute and works extensively with golfers, helping them address movement limitations and optimise performance.
In 2020, Mike founded RAPID to deliver expert-led, evidence-based care for patients of all backgrounds. Since then, he has helped over 1,000 individuals resolve pain and rebuild strength, and has grown RAPID into one of Dublin’s top-rated physiotherapy clinics.
In 2021, he launched The Masters Program, a physiotherapist-led strength and conditioning class for older adults. The programme supports people over 55 in staying strong, active, healthy and pain free as they age. As a lifelong rugby player, Mike brings deep personal experience of sport and movement to his clinical work and leads with a whole-body, long-term approach to health and performance.
Rory O’Donovan (aka Rocky) is the founder of Rocky Fitness and a passionate advocate for strength, health, and community. Rocky studied Sports and Exercise Science as well as Sports Coaching and Management. He has over a decade of experience in the fitness industry. His mission is simple: To help people experience the real-life benefits of living a healthier and stronger lifestyle, both physically and mentally.
Rory O’Donovan (aka Rocky) is the founder of Rocky Fitness and a passionate advocate for strength, health, and community. With a Level 5 qualification in Sports and Exercise Science and an honours degree in Sports Coaching and Management, Rory has over a decade of experience in the fitness industry. Since launching Rocky Fitness in 2017 as a one-to-one personal training service, he has grown it into a thriving small-group training gym. In 2024, he expanded further by opening a coffee spot to help foster connection and support beyond the gym floor. Rory’s mission is simple: to help people experience the real-life benefits of living a healthier and stronger lifestyle, both physically and mentally.
Risteard Byrne is a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist and the Co-Owner at RAPID. He completed his B.Sc. in Physiotherapy at UCD and his M.Sc. in Sports Physiotherapy in Bath University. He has over a decade of experience in elite sport and clinical rehabilitation. He has been the Lead Physiotherapist with the Dublin Senior Hurlers, Cavan Senior Footballers, Terenure College SCT and JCT and Ireland's Fittest Families.
Risteard Byrne is a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist with a deep commitment to helping people recover from injury, build resilience, and regain confidence in their movement. With over nine years at the UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic and more than 10,000 clients treated, he brings a wealth of experience to the RAPID team.
He has worked closely with Ireland’s top Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Consultants and has led shoulder rehabilitation services at specialist level. While his expertise lies in shoulder and upper limb rehabilitation, he is highly experienced in managing a wide range of injuries across both general and athletic populations.
A former Ireland U20 Six Nations rugby champion, Risteard understands the demands of high performance. He has worked with elite and sub-elite athletes across multiple sports, and served as Lead Physiotherapist with teams including Dublin Hurling, Cavan Football, and Ireland’s Fittest Family.
Risteard is also an accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach and believes strongly in the power of exercise as medicine. His academic background includes master’s-level research and a dual BSc in Physiotherapy and Performance Science. At RAPID, Risteard combines clinical expertise, advanced education, and a compassionate approach to deliver tailored care that gets to the root of the problem.
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Strength Training: Your Secret Weapon Against Ageing
Learn how strength training can help you:
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Stay independent
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Reduce risk of injury
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Improve mobility and balance
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Boost energy and confidence
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The Next Step for You
What are you waiting for? Sign Up to our Intro Offer Today - only €139, which includes:
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A full physiotherapy assessment
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Two small-group classes
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Personalised support tailored to your needs
Learn more about the programme or Book your assessment today
