How to do something new in 2010

Usher in the new year by getting active or trying out a rewarding new hobby.

A volunteer with the UAE-based charity, Takatof.

THE ONCE-A-WEEK WORKOUT Concept 10/10 is a new approach to personal training that involves a 20-minute intensive muscular workout just once a week. During the first one-hour session, your trainer will determine your optimal weights and positions for each machine. The gym has six specially designed machines that isolate certain muscles: lower back, legs, arms, chest, abdominals and neck. Each session takes place in a cool environment because muscles work more intensively in cold environments. Plus, since you don't break a sweat, you can work out first thing and head straight to work. Dh275 per session (Dh1,950 for 10 sessions). Concept 10/10, 1st Floor Building 5B, Maaskar Al Nahyan Commercial Complex, Delma St (next to the Emirates National School), Abu Dhabi, 02 643 3353. Dubai Healthcare City, 04 429 8567 and 2406 HDS Towers, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, 04 434 4292, www.concept1010.ae

REFORMER PILATES This new, updated version of the floor-based exercise uses a raised machine with springs and straps. It combines basic Pilates with resistance training, helping you to improve core strength, develop good balance and increased flexibility. After just a few sessions, you'll notice a change in your body shape and an improvement in your posture. Dh700 for 10 sessions, Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, 02 666 2228. Dh265 per class (Dh2,400 for 10 classes), Soma Pilates Studio, Abu Dhabi, 02 667 6579. Dh90 per class (Dh980 for 12 classes), Zen Yoga Dubai, Emirates Hills, Dubai, 04 422 4643. Dh90 per class (Dh850 for 12 classes), Exhale, Murjan 1, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, 04 424 3777.

FELINE FRIENDS Founded in 1991 to improve conditions for Abu Dhabi's street cats, volunteers can help by fund-raising, homing or fostering needy cats as well as operating the Feline Friends emergency phone. To enrol, call 050 582 2916 or 050 823 1569. www.felinefriendsuae.com TAKATOF This UAE-based voluteer group is involved in a range of charity work. From volunteering in the health care sector, to beach clean-ups, school renovations and international humanitarian aid programmes, there are plenty of places Takatof reaches out to. Register on their website (www.takatof.ae) and they will phone you back with the details of where you can volunteer. 800 TAKATOF (8252863)

ADACH COURSES Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage runs a range of workshops at the capital's Cultural Foundation. Courses include photography, acrylic, watercolour, silk and glass painting, as well as fashion design, sculpture, home decorating and Arabic calligraphy. Two-hour classes are available five days a week during the morning, afternoon and evening, costing from Dh150 for eight classes. To register, bring a passport copy and personal photo. 02 657 6355.

SCUBA DIVING: One-on-one lessons are available at Arabian Divers, based at Al Bateen Marina. The school has a classroom, training pool and fully certified instructors with lessons at a range of prices depending on the individual's needs. Call Greg Heinricks on 050 614 6931. LEARN TO SAIL Lessons are available for private groups of four to six people on a 50-foot yacht from the dock near Marina Mall. Two-hour courses are available from 4-6.00pm with Captain Berend at Dh3,000 per outing. Call Captain Berend on 050 661 2176.

STOP SMOKING ARABIA This method, used by motivational speaker and trainer Dave Crane, uses hypnosis to help you quit smoking. His technique is based on the belief that smoking is a mental and physical habit that should be nipped in the bud by eliminating the desire to smoke entirely. Hypnosis is thought to be able to do just that, and is far more effective than quitting through willpower, which may be strong one day and weak the next. The course is available online at www.stopsmokingarabia.com for $77.99 (Dh285).

When is it? March 13, 2010 What is it? The first event of its kind in Abu Dhabi, the triathlon incorporates swimming, cycling and running in succession over varied distances, with a prize fund of over US$250,000 (Dh918,375) on offer. Where will it take place? The swimming will take place in the lagoon next to the Emirates Palace, while the cycling route will wind through the city, taking in the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the road over Saadiyat Island and even the Yas Marina Formula One Circuit. The running section of the race will be near the Corniche. Do I have to be a serious athlete to enter? No. Both professional and amateur athletes are welcome to enter. There will be a short-distance course (1.5km swim, 100km bike, 10km run) as well as long-distance (3km swim, 200km bike, 20km run), plus a relay event. However, high levels of stamina are necessary, so training does require discipline and dedication. What kind of training is required? The first step is to concentrate on the area in which you are weakest and create a workout for one to three hours a day of training, five to six days a week. It is essential that one day should be dedicated to resting your body because it won't work to its full potential without a chance to recover. After the rest day, start with your weakest event, followed by the other two throughout the week, thus working different muscle groups on different days. The next step is to alternate between intensity and distance. For the first few weeks your workouts should emphasise power, followed by a gradual decrease in strength and increase in distance. Once you are able to reach the target distance, switch back to strength training, and so on. A few weeks before the race, start training for all three sports on the same day, while continuing to alternate the distances. This will help improve your ability to switch from one section to the next and reduce your transition period during the race. Closer to the day, extend your rest periods and focus on keeping your body loose and relaxed. How do I enter? Entry is available online from $123 (Dh450) at www.abudhabitriathlon.com. Those who wish to compete at elite level should e-mail [e-mail]

Where to find the items featured in M this week. M IS ALL ABOUT Ordning & Reda: Gate Village DIFC, Dubai, 04 370 0520 Gerard Darel: Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, 02 681 3350; Dubai Mall, 04 339 9780 TREND ALERT: TEA PARTY Jimmy Choo: Dubai Mall, 04 339 8925 Louis Vuitton: Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, 02 681 2166; Dubai Mall, 04 341 4462; Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 341 4462 Sugar Daddy's Bakery: Corniche, Abu Dhabi 050 182 9075; Village Mall, Dubai, 04 344 8204 S*uce: Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, 02 681 8650; Village Mall, Dubai, 04 344 7270; Dubai Mall, 04 344 7270 FUTURE TENSE Chloé: Dubai Mall, 04 339 8200; Emirates Towers, Dubai, 04 330 0700 Christian Dior: Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, 02 681 7477; Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 323 5322 Dries Van Noten: Gate Village DIFC, Dubai, 04 323 0277 Galeries Lafayette: Dubai Mall, 04 339 9933 Gucci: Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, 02 681 6844; Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 341 0669 and elsewhere Harvey Nichols: Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 409 8888 Loewe: Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 341 0747; Dubai Mall, 04 339 8055; BurJuman Centre, Dubai, 04 352 0222 Marni: Gate Village DIFC, Dubai, 04 382 5120 New Look: Dubai Mall, 04 434 0741 and elsewhere S*uce: Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, 02 681 8650; Village Mall, Dubai, 04 344 7270; Dubai Mall, 04 344 7270 Samsaara: Souk Al Bahar, 04 420 0122 Villa Moda: DIFC Gate Village, Dubai, 04 382 5150