Already regretting that extra Christmas cookie? Don’t fret. Fitness centres around the city are offering special deals and challenges to get you back on track and then some.
Haddins
Haddins gym is taking fitness to a new level this year with two challenging programmes. The first, Primal Transformation X, starts on January 12. This four-week course has two levels the names of which say it all: ‘reasonably serious about this’ and ‘serious about this’. Both levels provide specifically structured workout sessions five days a week, but ‘serious’ participants also receive a detox and nutrition plan, a recommended supplement guide, a membership for Haddins Gym for the duration of the programme and access to a private Facebook support site. The ‘serious about this’ plan costs Dhs400 for Haddins gym members and Dhs1,600 for non-members. The ‘reasonably serious about this’ plan is free for members and costs Dhs1,200 for non-members.
Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya (02 403 4200).
Bayshore Beach Club
You might join for the gym, but you’ll likely stay for the sauna, steam room, plunge pool or beach at Bayshore Beach Club. Prices are being cut by 25 percent for new members until the end of January. Membership to the Bayshore Beach Club will also get you 25 percent off massage treatments at the spa. The Bayshore will be opening a host of new facilities early in 2014 including cabanas, a restaurant and two new pools with a waterslide and a pool bar. Memberships purchased through this special offer will provide access to all of the forthcoming Bayshore amenities as well. With the discount, a one-year membership will cost Dhs8,625 for men and Dhs6,375 for women.
InterContinental, Bainouna Street (02 666 6888).
Beach Rotana
Your whole family can support your resolution from their beach chairs at the Beach Rotana. The beach club is offering 35 percent off one year memberships. The Family Fortunes Package costs Dhs10,725 and also includes a 30 percent discount on ten sessions of personal training, two vouchers for Cross Fit and a ‘friends and family’ week pass good for two adults and two children. And if you are flying solo on your resolutions this year, they have a Single Stardom Package for Dhs6,630 which includes the same benefits minus the two kids in the friends and family week pass.
Tourist Club Area (02 6697 9302).
Bodytree Studio
Bodytree Studio dares you to meet their challenge this January. The studio is offering 15 classes for Dhs750 in January, but the classes must be completed within the 30 days of the month. The deal includes one juice each week from their Nectar juice bar and a one-hour nutritional seminar.
Al Khalidiyah (02 443 4448).
Top ten personal trainer tips to stay motivated
Anne Cortes from the Original Fitness Co. gives us her top tips
1. Set SMART goals
Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Realistic. Time-bound. Set short term goals to achieve long term goals. Once you’ve reached your goals, reassess yourself and set new ones.
2. Keep a diary
Keeping a record and tracking your progress is a great motivational tool to keep going. This way you have proof that what you are doing is working and you see how far you’ve come from when you started.
3. Change is good
Vary your training. Don’t do the same boring routine each time you go to the gym. Try other machines, do circuits, plyometrics, calisthenics, etc.
4. Tag a friend
Training with a friend or a partner is fun and motivating. It is great to have a training partner when you don’t feel like working out, your friend is there to drag you out and off the sofa.
5. Healthy competition
A good element to fire you up is to get competitive. Original Fitness Co. boot camps and combat fitness group sessions are good venues to motivate and be motivated by ‘competing’ with others.
6. Start the day right
Training to start your day is a way of ticking off one of the important things on your list, keeping fit. Also you won’t have to give an excuse that you are too tired to work out after work.
7. Take a break
If you feel like you’ve been pushing hard all week and tired from training, rest! You’ll perform better after a good rest than when you’re tired.
8. Get driven by results
Hard work pays off. You’re training hard all week, you step on the scale and you’re down a few pounds, a faster one-mile run, a dress size smaller? Don’t stop. Improvements make us keep going.
9. Hire a personal trainer
You are accountable to your trainer. They will keep you motivated and design programmes specifically for your goals and needs in a safe and effective manner.
10. Have fun
Do something you enjoy. If you love the water, swim! Have fun sweating! It’s all about going for a happier and healthier you.
