Tired of pounding the pavement or pumping those weights in the gym? Why not give swimming a try? It is a simple yet effective form of exercise that can be done with very little equipment, plus it’s a sport you can enjoy year round here in the capital.
Swimming provides a full body, low-impact workout with great cardiovascular benefits and it develops and tones muscles – so really it’s a no brainer for anyone into their health and fitness. You get more out of the sport when swimming on a regular basis, not only because your technique will improve, but also because your body becomes elongated and more streamlined.
Abu Dhabi has a range of places where you can get fit in the water.
Hiltonia Beach Club
The Hiltonia Beach Club is best for variety, offering three pools and a private beach. Hiltonia also offers swimming lessons for adults and for children, in groups or private sessions with an instructor. If you are looking for something a little bit different to just swimming lengths, why not try aqua aerobics? Hiltonia will start aqua aerobics classes again in March, at the beach club pool. Watersports are also available, as well as snorkelling and fishing.
Open daily 9.30am-6.30pm. Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah (02 681 1900)
Al Jazira
Head on down to Al Jazira if you are looking for serious swimming training. Adults and children can book a series of eight one-hour lessons for Dhs400 which will have you perfecting your stroke in no time. The pool at Al Jazira is a 50m Olympic-size swimming pool and is regularly used by professional athletes when training. Al Jazira is also home to one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest football teams, so it boasts a spacious football field as well as other sporting facilities.
Open 9am-9pm Saturday-Thursday, 3pm-9pm Friday. Al Jazira Sports Club, Muroor Road (050 264 9707)
Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel
At the Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel you can swim at your leisure and enjoy uninterrupted lengths, which makes it a great place for swimmers who just want to get their heads down. The pool is a 50m Olympic-size job, which will have you swimming lengths proficiently before you know it. Lessons are available for Dhs90 per hour or pay Dhs900 for 12. The Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel also has a well-equipped gym and lots of other activities available, such as paintballing and indoor golf, should you want to try something else.
Open daily 7am-10.30pm. Ladies only Sundays 10am-6pm and Wednesdays 10am-8pm. Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Road (02 441 5900)
Beach Rotana
The Beach Rotana is a great place to go swimming with the family. Private lessons are Dhs140 or Dhs1,100 for a package of 10. The experienced instructors at Beach Rotana also offer group lessons at Dhs550 per adult or Dhs500 per child for 10 lessons. You can opt to join in yourself and swim a few lengths of the adult’s pool while the kids have their lessons or relax in the poolside chairs. Beach Rotana offers watersports that range from wakeboarding and waterskiing to banana boat rides.
Open 7am-10pm, Beach Rotana Health Club, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9000)
Abu Dhabi Country Club
Sets of five 45 minute lessons are available at the Abu Dhabi Country Club at Dhs495 for adults and Dhs395 for juniors, with discounted rates available for members. The club boasts spacious grounds and an exclusive atmosphere. If you aren’t interestrd in a lesson then just show up and have a few laps of the 25m pool. ADCC’s extensive facilities include basketball and tennis courts.
Open 7am-11pm, Abu Dhabi Country Club, Al Saada Street (02 657 7777)
