It’s just gone 6am. The sun is rising over the water at the Corniche, the air is warm and sticky and it seems like the perfect moment to gaze at the scenery, perhaps with a nice glass of iced coffee.
No such luck. We’re late for group CrossFit training, and ex-military man Phil Perrin, who is running the session, is decidedly unimpressed. Wielding a stopwatch like a hand grenade, he looks like he might launch it at the runners, who are pounding Tarmac as though they’re training for combat. ‘Six minutes TWENNYTWO! Come ON!’ he bellows at one particularly sweaty specimen. We’re afraid he might demand to see our war face, Full Metal Jacket style, or threaten to unscrew our heads and….well, we’re sure you know the rest of the quote. We dutifully start running as though our life depends on it.
Today’s workout involves squats, push-ups, sit-ups and bicep curls, followed by running two laps of a small circuit, repeated four times. The aim is to beat your personal best with each round. It’s hard, but the energy buzz is kept at fever-pitch by teams taking it in turns to do the routine while the others rest and chug water.
Original Fitness Company, already popular with Abu Dhabi’s fittest individuals for their hardcore boot camps, have just launched a new training method – CrossFit. This exercise craze is popular with people the world over, from professional athletes to active kids, so of course the capital’s health fanatics want a piece of it.
OFC uses a one-day-off, one-day-on cycle, using a different workout of the day (WOD) each time. Their two WOD basics are metabolic conditioning, which works all your muscles and gets your heart racing, and strength and skill development, in which you learn new exercise techniques and build up your base strength. Although the exercises used in OFC’s CrossFit training are largely similar to their boot camps, the style and pace is different. CrossFit forces you to challenge yourself more because you are competing against yourself and the others in your group.
‘CrossFit is a workout designed to get you in shape for any physical situation you might encounter – whether you’re a policeman, gardener or fireman. In fact, it sets you up for any time in your daily life when you’re using your body.’ explains Phil. ‘The programme works different muscle groups at different stages of the workout, so it’s very challenging. We also vary the workouts every time, so you’ll turn up and the session will involve something different.’
CrossFit training isn’t just good for fitness, though. According to Phil, for those of us not used to the heat in the Middle East, it’s a great way to let your body acclimatise. ‘Working out outdoors is great for your body. People say it’s too hot to exercise outside here, but that’s just not true. It’s all about getting used to the heat. In the hottest months, we take the intensity down a notch or two and drink more water, that’s all. If you’re outdoors for a session three times a week, it’s much better for you than just moving from air-conditioned flat to office all the time.’
Phil already knows most of the people here from Boot Camp sessions, and seems to have a mental list of everyone’s level of fitness, pushing them accordingly. The military-esque barking works in keeping the group pumped up, and the atmosphere is upbeat even as people are gasping for breath. So if you’re bored of the gym, and craving an adrenaline-filled, competitive workout, consider these your marching orders. Sir, yes sir!
Dhs600 for four weeks, Dhs100 for one session. Sundays and Tuesdays at 6am, by the Corniche (02 406 9404).
