Are you and your kids getting enough exercise? If you think you don’t have time, try staying active with these fitness ideas that the whole family can do together
Go somewhere: Rather than simply exercising for the sake of exercising, park far away and use walking or biking as your means of transport to get to the park or the shop. Try parking at Heritage Park and then walking down the Corniche for a snack at one of the cafés. This trick works whether you’re out for a day or just at the shopping mall.
Find an interesting location: Tuesday nights at the Yas Marina Circuit are hugely popular because it’s a cool spot – ditto the Corniche and hiking in the desert. Plan to walk different routes around the city both on and off the island; you might be surprised by what you find when you slow to a walk rather than driving by.
Swim: What better way to enjoy the cooling weather than a day in the water? You don’t have to swim laps to get the benefit of being in the water. Make up your own aqua aerobics and bob along with the kids. Ready for some proper strokes? The public beach on the Corniche is gorgeous – if little ones can’t swim, parents can pop them in a mini inflatable boat and tow them for a great workout.
Hit the ice: The ice skating rink at Zayed Sport City is a cool spot to stay active all year around. With daily public skating sessions plus ice hockey, figure skating and special events, the whole family can get fit out on the ice. Find out more at www.zsc.ae
Karting: When you think of getting fit, go-karting probably doesn’t come to mind first but you’d be amazed at how many calories you burn behind the wheel of one of those babies. Check out the KartZone at Yas Marina Circuit (www.yasmarinacircuit.com) or try the world class facility at Al Ain Raceway (www.alainraceway.com).
Find a sport you all like to play: Families can get involved in all kinds of sports. The Abu Dhabi Harlequins (www.abudhabiquins.com), for example, offer teams for men, women and children of all ages. Also check out the Abu Dhabi Falcons (www.abudhabifalcons.com) Australian Rules Football league – which comes complete with Auskick for kids – and Abu Dhabi Na Fianna (www.abudhabinafianna.com) which brings Gaelic football to all ages.
Pedal: Make some memories - rent a four-seat pedal car on the Corniche near the Hiltonia and load up the whole family or check out Yas Island on a bike rented from the Crowne Plaza. Cycle the circuit for Tuesday night Train Yas or just around the island and enjoy the fresh air.
Laura Fulton
Team Family
Bond with your bigger kids and get motivated by the goal of a big event. Start training now for the Abu Dhabi Striders 10K fun run happening 21st October at Zayed Sport City – or go big and get ready for their annual 10K and Half Marathon coming up on 18th November at Yas Island. Strap the baby on your back, pop the toddlers in the pram, lace up the trainers on your older kids and enter as a family team. Find out more about the races and weekly training runs at www.abudhabistriders.com.
The benefits of family fitness
- Families that spend time exercising together are more likely to bond; studies show that teenage boys are more likely to carry on a conversation while they’re engaged in activity than when they’re sitting still making eye contact
- Children are more likely to learn from what you DO rather than what you SAY. Kids who see their parents exercise – and join in the activity themselves – are more likely to carry on being active into their adulthood
- Done the right way, sports and other forms of physical activity give children the opportunity to challenge themselves and develop authentic self-esteem, especially when their parents are doing the same
