Keen to get back to former fitness levels and tone up now the party season is over? You’re in luck mamas, as we’ve rounded up 10 of the most unique ways to keep in shape in 2017 – from getting involved in SUP classes as the sun rises in the morning, to trying out aqua biking to a cool soundtrack. Get involved – and make sure you have fun doing it, mamas!
Trampolines aren’t just for the kiddos, Mamas! So make your way to Bounce in Al Quoz for one of their 60-minute, low-impact, high-intensity workouts that promise to blast your core, improve all-over muscle tone, and lift your heart rate. Every session is set to a carefully curated soundtrack (designed to make you smile and laugh as you bounce your way to fitness) to put some spring in your bounce. In fact, you’ll be having so much fun that you won’t even know you are exercising – until afterwards, when you will feel how hard your muscles have been working!
Scaling walls isn’t just for superheroes, Mamas! It’s a great way to tone up and improve overall fitness levels – and Dorell Sports Climbing Centre is the place to head, boasting the highest outdoor climbing wall in the UAE. You can book lessons with the highly qualified instructors – and when you’ve mastered a few skills, you can head over whenever you fancy getting active to scale the wall Spider-Man style!
Always wished you could throw some shapes on the ice, but look less than graceful when you strap on the skates? We know how you feel, Mamas – and that’s why we’re planning to treat ourselves to a series of Ice Skating Lessons in 2017 at Dubai Ice Rink to learn some skills, whilst toning up and boosting our fitness levels (it’s a seriously good all-over workout when you know how to do it, Mamas!) And when you’ve learnt, why not take the kiddos down to the rink at the weekend to show off your new skills?
It might not occur to many Dubai dwellers to take to the saddle, but the truth is that we are surrounded by wonderful stables here in Dubai – and there are few better ways to improve core strength, tone muscles, and boost overall fitness than to take up horse riding. Dubai Polo Club offers a choice of private or group lessons, both lasting 45 minutes – and if you are advanced, you can also get tuition in the likes of showjumping and dressage.
If you like to be beside the seaside – and don’t we all, Mamas – Fahrenheit Beachsports is the company to turn to this January. They run a series of SUP-based classes to get you back to shape and fitness (SUP stands for ‘stand up paddleboards’, if you aren’t with the lingo) – and once you get to grips with strengthening your core during their SUP Sisters Class, SUP Polo or SUP Yoga, we can guarantee you’ll fall in love with being on the board. In fact, it’s so peaceful out there on the water, you might not want to come back to land…
psst… they also have the most amazing array of water-sports to try – watch out for our wake-surfing review!
Hula Hooping isn’t just for the school playground, Mamas! Adults can get involved too with these classes at flowground, which are seriously good for toning up and getting your heart pumping (while having as much fun as we remember as kiddos!) The classes are for beginners – so if you haven’t picked up a hoop for years, there is no need to worry. We think the littlies at home will be happy to help you practice too!
psst…want to know more? Read about why our Editor Kaya loves hooping!
Did you know that there’s a high-end fitness studio on Al Wasl Road with an indoor pool specially designed for aquabiking? Neither did we, Mamas – but now we’re hooked on the all-over workout, which combines water aerobics and indoor spinning. Sitting on specially designed bikes with water up to your chest, you’ll take part in a fast-paced 45-minute class set to a cool soundtrack to work both your lower and upper body. And the best bit? You will burn between 500 and 700 calories every time you take part! Not bad, right?
Want to try something totally different Mama? Why not get involved with one of the fun classes at Parkour DXB? If you aren’t familiar with what they do, let us enlighten you. Parkour is all about getting from one point to another in a complex environment, in the fastest and most efficient way possible. It involves running, climbing, swinging, vaulting, jumping and rolling – and it’s guaranteed to not only burn calories and get your heart racing, but to be lots of fun too. Certainly beats pounding a treadmill in your local gym.
Fancy learning the difference between ‘Hittin’, ‘Stomping’ and ‘Carving’ on the slopes? It sounds like you need some snowboarding lessons, Mama – and there’s no need to fly off to the French Alps to get involved. Ski Dubai offers group lessons for all levels – right from total beginners up to Level 4 for freestyle and technical skills. You’ll be bombing down the slopes in no time – and that’s not to mention all the calories you’ll burn while having fun. We don’t think there are many coolers ways to tone up!
We all know that swimming is great for our health (in fact, it’s one of the best kinds of aerobic and anaerobic work we can do, Mamas) – but not all of us are inspired by swimming laps in a pool. Getting your PADI Open Water qualification at THE Dive Centre Dubai means you can scuba dive whenever you fancy it, combining a serious fitness fix with a hobby you can enjoy for the rest of your life. Can we join you Mama? It sounds like the perfect new hobby for 2017.
Featured image via Pinterest
