Yas Island: the new fitness hub

Yas Island isn't just for concerts or racing anymore: it's becoming a fitness destination, too.

Wake surfing at Yas Marina. Courtesy Watercooled
Powered by automated translation

Yas Island is best known for being home to the world’s fastest roller-coaster, hosting the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and performances by world-­renowned pop acts. But it’s also becoming a destination for fitness, giving residents of the capital some hard-to-find workout options.

Crossfit Yas

Patrick Hegarty and Billy Graham, the founders of Vogue Fitness & CrossFit Yas, say theirs is unlike any other CrossFit gym in Dubai or Abu Dhabi because they also provide personal training. “We created CrossFit Yas because we wanted to create a functional gym that we would actually want to train in,” says Patrick Hegarty, who also plays rugby. “Our personal training coaches include ex-professional athletes and they all have an evolved understanding of fitness. We wanted to create a real community ethos minus the ego.”

CrossFit sessions last an hour and take place every day of the week at Vogue Fitness at 6am, 7am, 9am, 4pm, 5pm and 6pm. The first fitness session is free. There are a variety of CrossFit membership packages. You can also visit the gym only, and/or a range of classes on a pay-as-you-go basis. Visit www.vfuae.com

Mums N Bubs

Being a new mum can be challenging and often it’s difficult to find time to exercise. Vogue Fitness aims to overcome that obstacle by offering mums the chance to work out with their children by their side. Mums N Bubs is a fun new concept at Vogue Fitness, designed specifically for new mothers to bounce back in to shape with their baby in tow.

“Our sessions cater to the mother’s needs,” explains Graham. “Sometimes the mother might want to leave her baby asleep in the pram while she does a workout, knowing she can pop over to see her baby anytime. Other mums use their baby or toddler as part of her routine. The baby age ranges from eight months to 3 years.”

Graham explains there are several exercises you can do with your baby and or toddler: “You can do squats and or lunges using your baby as a weight. You can also do a glute bridge with your baby on top of you. We guide you every step of the way.”

At Vogue Fitness, every Sunday and Thursday, 9am to 10am. You don’t need to be a gym member to take part in these sessions

Wake surfing

Most people are familiar with wake boarding, which involves riding waves using a combination of snowboarding and surfing techniques while being towed by a motorboat. Wake surfing, explains Toby Robinson, the centre manager of Watercooled Yas Marina, is on another level.

“Wake surfing requires a lot more skill,” explains Toby Robinson, who used to run a wind surf school in Perth. “As with wake boarding, you are behind the speedboat. However, once the waves are big enough, you let go of the rope and simply ride the waves on your own. You are also a lot closer to the motorboat. So it’s almost as if you are surfing, you feel a great sense of freedom and yet you have the security of people keeping an eye on you.”

The process works all the muscles in the body, particularly the core, and the calm waters around Yas Island are ideal for beginners.

Wakesurfing (and wakeboarding) sessions cost Dhs250 for 20 minutes and Dhs600 per hour. Visit www.watercooleduae.com

Standup paddle board yoga

Combining yoga with standup paddle boarding is the latest fitness hybrid, promising to improve balance and flexibility while toning the core.

Watercooled in Yas Marina is offering weekly SUP Yoga classes taught by a freelance yoga instructor called Angela Muller-Habig. Again, the calm waters around the island make it an ideal venue to learn SUP Yoga.

“Luckily the water is flat and this is a great advantage for beginners as they feel secure,” says Robinson. “And more experienced yoga practitioners find it easier to perfect their postures and attempt more challenging ones on the paddle board.”

SUP Yoga classes are 90 minutes and take place on Saturdays at 8.30am; Dh120 per class. ­­­Visit watercooleduae.com

Aqua biking

Combining cycling, hydrotherapy and massage, the new ­Spabike at Bodylines, Yas Island Rotana, offers a workout that is designed to fight cellulite and tone the body without the sweating. This strange-looking machine features a bike inside a hydro massage bath tub, explains the director of recreation Sherif Nahass.

“Our clients love the Spabike because they can burn up to 700 calories in one session,” says Nahass. “While you cycle, water jets massage your muscles, which lessens the pressure on the joints. This means afterwards, unlike when you cycle outdoors, you don’t feel exhausted.”

Each session lasts 40 minutes, during which time you are spurred on by a virtual cycling coach speaking on a TV screen.

A Spabike session costs Dhs180 and packages are available. Email bodylines.yasiland@rotana.com or call 02 656 4000

artslife@thenational.ae