Trendy workouts and fad fitness programmes come and go, but a certain newcomer to the UAE scene may be here to stay. Not only because it lends itself well to our climate, but because it also offers something for everyone, from beginners, to those nursing injuries, and even elite athletes.
Photographer Chris Whiteoak of The National recently went along to FloatUAE's fitness class, which is held on the water. The session uses the Boga Fitmat - a floating board approximately the size of a yoga mat that comes with foot straps for sit-ups and resistance bands for strength-training exercises. The 40-minute high-intensity workout takes place in swimming pools, but the boards can be used in the sea, as well, so being able to swim well is a must.
Highly trained instructors put participants through their paces beginning with stretches and yoga poses and moving into low-impact moves. Balancing on the board engages the core muscles and helps with stability and tightening the midsection. While the idea is to stay on the board, the exercises feature a lot of splashing with jumps, lunges, planks, mountain-climbers and burpees, so while you can wear a swimsuit or regular workout gear, be ready to get wet.
Classes are available at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa and at the InterContinental Dubai Marina. Visit www.floatuae.com for more information on classes.
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