Because of our busy schedules in the nation’s capital, you’ll hear many of us complaining about waistlines. While there are numerous classes and physical regimes out there to help the hopeful get in shape and lose fat, few are able to really deliver the high definition desired and give results with relative speed. However, for those of you who have particular problems with the way your tummies won’t be restrained by buttons or zippers, the class at the Sheraton might be the solution.
For a novice walking innocently into the studio at the Sheraton’s health club, the Core Strength class might seem like a fun way to tone up. The trainer Mohammed greets everyone with a wide grin and all around people seem thrilled to be taking part in this class. The participants set up with a large bouncy ball each and a mat. This is where the fun stops.
Mohammed shuts the doors (practically barring them with a chain) and very loud, upbeat music is played. The music isn’t to keep you energised; it’s to muffle your screams so that you don’t scare the folk working out in the adjacent gym. After a few minutes of warming up, the class sets off into a never-ending series of ab-crunching, tummy-torturing, midriff-tightening exercises that leaves us breathless and vowing to never even look at a doughnut again.
Mohammed is pleasant but firm as he delivers his instructions on the swift movements that everyone will surely feel the following morning. The first half of the class is performed on a bouncy ball. The difficulty in balancing on the ball helps to tighten a whole range of core muscles that provide support from our backs to our front sections. If the trainer is any indication to the success of the class, then you can be assured that sticking to it will deliver a flawless midriff that you will be proud to show off on the beach.
For the second half of the hour-long class, the balls are safely stowed away and we sprawl out on the mats. The remainder of the course works intensely on crunches and sit-ups, along with various other exercises for strengthening our lower backs and tummies. Most of these are performed in three sets of ten, although Mohammed does throw in an extra set here and there just for good measure.
Although the class focuses primarily on the mid section, the hour nevertheless leaves us sweaty and breathless. There is an intense sense of accomplishment when the doors are opened and we leave, alive and intact. Several members openly discussed results at the end. Ahmad, who has been doing the class for over a month, says: ‘You can definitely see a difference within two weeks of doing this class; it tightens the waist and gives you great definition.’
Although any pain felt during the class is amplified the next day, this is certainly one session that delivers results in a short time. For anyone with trouble in their midsection, we strongly recommend this class for blasting away tummy fat.
Free for members, Dhs35 for non-members. Classes are Sundays and Tuesdays at 6.30pm and Saturdays at noon. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort Health Club (02 677 3333).
