The Abu Dhabi Week team tried out the latest fitness crazes available in the capital
We’ve reviewed Xtend Barre exercise class before – a combination of ballet and pilates. If you throw a stick into the mix you’ve got Xtend Barre Stick Class.
We took our position in front of the barre in the sunny studio and picked up our stick. It was secured to the barre by elasticated ropes, so when we pulled the stick we felt resistance in our upper arms.
Visiting instructor Rochelle began the class by reminding us to go at our own pace: “Know the difference between good pain and bad pain, if a move doesn’t feel right for your body don’t do it,” she said before leading us through a series of warm-up routines stretching out our arm muscles, midsection and legs.
Warm-up completed she picked up the pace with a choreographed cardio routine. One exercise involved laying on our back holding the stick in position under our thighs while ‘cycling’ our legs midair.
Our core was engaged throughout, but one memorable move involved leaning back to sit down an imaginary chair, holding onto the stick for balance before standing on our tiptoes and maintaining this pose for a count of ten seconds.
If you feel like a gentle workout go for a stroll along the Corniche, if you want a workout with fast results then we can’t recommend this class enough. We usually wouldn’t put ‘total body workout’ and ‘fun’ in the same sentence, but without doubt this class was both.
Details
What? Xtend Barre Stick Class
Where: Bodytree Studio
We say: Sculpt that bod into shape
Cost: One class AED 90, five classes AED 400, 10 classes AED 775
Contact: 02 443 4448
Let’s bounce
It is rare to come out of an exercise class with a pain in your stomach from laughing, but that’s exactly what happened with Kangoo class.
The Kangoo workout involves putting on a pair of bouncy boots and well –bouncing! The boots look very similar to ice skates, just imagine the blade has been replaced with a springy base.
The aerobic workout involved jumping up and down imitating our teacher’s moves working different muscle groups. For the warm-up we hopped and clapped our hands over our head, feeling the stretch in our tummy, sides and upper arms.
The pace picked up with a high-intensity choreographed cardio routine. We jumped while swinging both arms to the right side and to the left, jogged on the spot, ran forwards and backwards, kicked and skipped our way around the room. Each boot weighted around four pounds so it felt a bit like having dumbbells attached to our ankles.
It required concentration to maintain balance but we couldn’t help giggling our way through the bouncy exercise class, which brought a whole new meaning to the term ‘gym bunny.’
Details
What? Kangoo boot camp
Where: Tips & Toes, Khalifa City
We say: Not cheap but a lot of fun – hop to it!
Cost: AED 120 per class, discount packages available
Contact: 02 557 2255
Hot off the press
We weren’t sure what to expect from our first Bikram yoga session, we imagined doing yoga in a stream room and were pretty sure that we would hate it. We are glad to report that we were wrong on both counts.First of all Bikram yoga is carried out in a hot room, not a steam room; fans blowing hot air heated the area to 40°C. We quickly got used to the heat, it’s not overpowering but you do sweat – a lot!
A typical class of Bikram, named after its founder yogi Bikram Choudhury, lasts for 90 minutes and involves 26 different ‘asanas’ or postures. Unlike other yoga classes we have been to the instructor, Tasha, did not stand at the front while we copied her moves, instead we listened as she called out instructions allowing us to completely focus on our own body and movement.
The class began with a breathing routine; this was our least favourite part of the class. We had to inhale with our fingers linked under our chin, elbows and arms stretching towards the ceiling before titling our head back and exhaling deeply.
We tried a number of different postures and Tasha talked us through the benefit of each pose, which ranged from toxin flushing and weight-management to stress reduction. One tricky pose involved standing on one leg while bending over and picking up our other leg, which we managed. If we had not been in class at the time we would have cheered at our success. Other positions were not as simple – the backward bend for example, this involved standing up straight, stretching our arms up and back as far as we could reach.
We emerged from the class sweaty and smelly, but unbelievably refreshed and energised. We enjoyed it so much that we signed up for the weekend class and that is where we can be found every Friday morning getting a bit better at back bending each week.
Details
What? Bikram yoga
Where: Ananhata Spa, Khalifa City A and Al Raha Beach Hotel
We say: Work up a sweat
Cost: AED 75 per session, discounts available
Contact: 050 594 0828
Suspended animation
TRX stands for Total body Resistance eXercise; it’s designed to work out the entire body.
The main piece of equipment used was the TRX suspension trainer; two long adjustable straps were attached to a high point, the loose ends of the straps dangled free and each end was fastened to form a loop.
The workout was geared towards increasing body strength and flexibility through bodyweight exercises.
Our trainer David led us through a gentle warm-up, followed by a not-so-gentle circuit routine. The circuit involved a combination of many different exercise including jump squats, lunges, press-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups using the suspension straps.
For the pull-ups we positioned our feet in front of the straps and gripped the loops for support. We lowered ourselves down and tried to pull our body up again. It was tough but David shouted encouraging words to spur us on.
Our heart was racing by the end of it… actually we felt like collapsing by the end of it. This is a sign of our low fitness levels, but more importantly it’s a sign that this workout really does work that body!
Details
What? TRX
Where: Abu Dhabi Country Club
We say: Strap in for a great workout
Cost: AED 50 per session, discount packages available
Contact: 02 657 7777
A bit of bite: ViPR
ViPR (pronounced viper) stands for vitality, performance and reconditioning. It is a rubber, cone-shaped hollow tube with handles and comes in a variety of different weights; it can be dragged, thrown, flipped, hoisted and pulled.
The class was a series of different exercises performed in a circuit. Probably the toughest and probably also the one with the fastest results.
(Available after Ramadan)
Details
What? ViPR
Where: Abu Dhabi Country Club
We say: Not for the faint hearted
Cost: AED 50 per session, discount packages available
Contact: 02 657 7777
Taking it in our stride: Nordic Walking
A pair of poles, similar to ski poles, and some special gloves get you started. The poles are placed behind you, and propel you forward, for a more intense workout.
Finding an easy rhythm is key, and practitioners can incorporate a variety of other exercises, such as press-ups and lunges, to round out their walking workout. A great way to enjoy the outdoors. and sneak in exercise too.
(Available in September)
Details
What? Nordic Walking
Where: du Forum, Yas Island
Cost: AED 50 per lesson
We say: These boots were made for walking!
Contact: www.proactive.ae
Wax on: Candlelight yoga
What could be more relaxing than yoga on the beach as the sun sets. Ramadan sessions with Salina are on the Corniche every Sunday and Tuesday at 8.45pm, and 9pm on Saturdays.
Bring a yoga mat, beach mat and towel for a for a unique experience in a serene setting.
Details
What? Candlelight yoga
Where? Corniche
Cost: AED 20 per lesson
We say: A light workout to melt stress away!
Contact: 050 994 6246.
