timeoutabudhabi.com August 21 – September 3 2019 31
Indoor workouts
F45 Training
This studio isn’t even a year old, but it’s
already got a legion of very loyal members.
You’ve probably heard people talking about
going to Varsity, Panthers, Romans and
Docklands and wondered what on earth they
are going on about, but they’re actually the
names of just some of the studio’s super-fun
circuit workouts. Each class lasts 45 minutes,
except for the hour-long Friday Hollywood
class, which is joined by a live DJ set from
the Outstanding Contribution winner at the
Time Out Abu Dhabi Music & Nightlife Awards
2019, Cliff Townley. The classes are easy to
follow and no two are exactly the same as the
moves are ever changing. Plus, with screens
around the room and helpful and supportive
instructors, there’s zero pressure and no
feeling that anyone else is watching you.
Once you start trying the cardio and strength
workouts (they alternate every day), you’ll
be totally hooked. Our personal favourite is
cardio session Bears, if we feel like punishing
ourselves after a particularly heavy brunch.
O Zayed Sports City, http://www.f45training.ae/
zayedsportscity (056 332 3113).
F45
Flo
This is by far the prettiest studio we’ve ever
been to. Housed in a villa in Al Bateen, we
wish we could move everything from the plush
carpets to the fancy changing rooms into our
own homes, but at least we get to come here
to join in with packed schedule of fabulous
classes. The ladies-only studio specialises
in every kind of yoga and Pilates class you
can think of, plus a few more. This includes
antigravity, TRX, reformer and jump-board,
all joined by the most pristine equipment
and expert instructors. The barre classes are
particularly killer, and we have a whole new
level of respect for those who practice it since
we tried the ‘Bend it like Barbie’ workout. But
with such gorgeous studios and a welcoming
and calming environment, coming here for a
workout won’t seem like a chore at all. You’ll
soon be making it part of your regular routine.
O Villa 34, Mileih Street, Al Bateen (02 644 6496).
Inspire Sports
This ladies-only gym is perhaps best known
for doing The Trip, the famous spinning class
by Les Mills. During these 40-minute sessions
you really do get to escape to another world,
as all the bikes are set up opposite a huge
screen showing a 3D landscape. The special
effects and soundtrack are brilliant, and each
session will see you travel through Egypt,
Santorini, Tokyo and many more amazing
settings. But this studio also offers excellent
classes in Pilates, body pump, body step,
Zumba and pound, which lets you unleash
your inner rock star and burn calories by
pretending to beat drums with Áorescent drum
sticks. It’s super fun.
O Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Al Bateen (050 157 5508).
Bodyism
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