• The gym at The Bridge Lifestyle Hub has the latest Technogym equipment. All photos: Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    The gym at The Bridge Lifestyle Hub has the latest Technogym equipment. All photos: Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
  • There's a restaurant that serves 100 per cent organic food on the ground floor with 120 items eventually expected on the menu.
    There's a restaurant that serves 100 per cent organic food on the ground floor with 120 items eventually expected on the menu.
  • Men and women can enjoy their own spas at The Bridge.
    Men and women can enjoy their own spas at The Bridge.
  • The venue has a cold-pressed juice 'anti-bar'.
    The venue has a cold-pressed juice 'anti-bar'.
  • Employees take time to work out in the gym.
    Employees take time to work out in the gym.
  • The Bridge aims to fuse all aspects of wellness into a lifestyle through a holistic approach.
    The Bridge aims to fuse all aspects of wellness into a lifestyle through a holistic approach.
  • The Bridge Lifestyle Hub is located in Al Qana.
    The Bridge Lifestyle Hub is located in Al Qana.
  • One of the seven tracks at The Bridge is called Expand, which aims to serve as a place for like-minded people to socialise and connect through art, music, film, books and events.
    One of the seven tracks at The Bridge is called Expand, which aims to serve as a place for like-minded people to socialise and connect through art, music, film, books and events.
  • Taste is one of the seven tracks offered at The Bridge, with a focus on 100 per cent organic foods.
    Taste is one of the seven tracks offered at The Bridge, with a focus on 100 per cent organic foods.
  • One of the yoga spaces, located on the ground floor, at The Bridge.
    One of the yoga spaces, located on the ground floor, at The Bridge.
  • Move is one of the seven tracks that focuses on physical fitness and the active spaces such as the gym and group exercise classes.
    Move is one of the seven tracks that focuses on physical fitness and the active spaces such as the gym and group exercise classes.
  • The gym has more than 250 exercise workstations and a semi-Olympic 200-metre indoor running track.
    The gym has more than 250 exercise workstations and a semi-Olympic 200-metre indoor running track.
  • The space officially opened to the public on December 18 after a soft launch phase.
    The space officially opened to the public on December 18 after a soft launch phase.
  • The view of the canal from the roof garden of The Bridge.
    The view of the canal from the roof garden of The Bridge.

Lifestyle

Wellbeing

Al Qana's The Bridge Lifestyle Hub in Abu Dhabi is now open

After a soft launch phase, the space is open to the public

Sarah Maisey

December 18, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The Bridge Lifestyle Hub, an 8,000-square-metre wellness hub in Abu Dhabi's Al Qana, officially opened its doors to the public on Saturday, after a soft launch phase that began in early December.

Scroll through the photo gallery above to see more of the hub.

Jordanian-Canadian co-founder Khalid Nahhas describes it as being "more than just a gym", as he wants to inspire people living in the capital to embrace a new approach to life while switching out bad habits.

“By focusing on the needed shift in lifestyle, we tap into many natural sources of blissful living," he says. "The Bridge Lifestyle Hub will help strengthen well-being and help communities become vibrant.

"We are more than just a gym, we believe in transforming people’s lives through a holistic approach to wellness, fundamentally changing the way ‘health’ is understood. This philosophy aims to help others in a nurturing and soul-enriching environment that is custom-made for each of our members."

The Bridge Lifestyle Hub located in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, is now fully open. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
The Bridge Lifestyle Hub located in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, is now fully open. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National

He says the programmes are designed through the use of evidence-based science. “There is intention and purpose in everything we do as we make positive connections and build on our community."

And it's not only for the health-conscious, as The Bridge takes a holistic approach to wellness, says Nahhas.

“If you're an art lover, you're going to enjoy this place. If you're a foodie, you're going to enjoy this place. If you're a nature lover, you're going to enjoy this place. But guess what? They're all important for your wellness," he told The National after a preview of the space.

What's inside The Bridge Lifestyle Hub?

The Bridge is broken down into seven specialised areas: Move, Pause, Taste, Choose, Seek, Expand, and Learn. Each track focuses on a different element of wellness and the idea is that if you connect them all, a person can become more balanced.

The Bridge's seven areas are Move, Pause, Taste, Select, Seek, Expand, and Learn. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
The Bridge's seven areas are Move, Pause, Taste, Select, Seek, Expand, and Learn. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National

“We want to form a crossing point, a pathway and a connection for members between who they are now and who they want to become, bridging into a community of loyal members who look forward to always coming back. We are on the journey with them and we speak to them as friends, not numbers in our system. We love what we do and that excitement, gratitude and energy is expressed in how we communicate with everyone who comes to our door.”

The hub has been five years in the making, with a 200-strong team behind it. Membership rates cost Dh1,500 per month or Dh15,300 per year, with an Dh1,000 joining fee.

It is located in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi's up-and-coming waterfront destination where the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi also recently opened its doors.

More information is at thebridgehub.com

  • The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi opened to the public in November. All photos by Ruel Pableo for The National
    The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi opened to the public in November. All photos by Ruel Pableo for The National
  • It is the first attraction to open in Al Qana, a new waterfront destination.
    It is the first attraction to open in Al Qana, a new waterfront destination.
  • Inside The Sub, one of 10 zones in the aquarium.
    Inside The Sub, one of 10 zones in the aquarium.
  • The Red Sea Wreck zone.
    The Red Sea Wreck zone.
  • The UAE's Natural Treasures zone.
    The UAE's Natural Treasures zone.
  • The Ring of Fire zone where guests can learn about volcanic caves and how islands are formed.
    The Ring of Fire zone where guests can learn about volcanic caves and how islands are formed.
  • Children outside of the National Aquarium on opening day.
    Children outside of the National Aquarium on opening day.
  • Tickets can be purchased at the door or online. Prices start at Dh105 ($28).
    Tickets can be purchased at the door or online. Prices start at Dh105 ($28).
  • Visitors explore the Red Sea Wreck zone.
    Visitors explore the Red Sea Wreck zone.
  • The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is set to be joined by other attractions at Al Qana.
    The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is set to be joined by other attractions at Al Qana.
  • The aquarium is home to 46,000 creatures, representing 300 species.
    The aquarium is home to 46,000 creatures, representing 300 species.
  • Covering more than 9,000 square metres, it is the largest aquarium in the Middle East.
    Covering more than 9,000 square metres, it is the largest aquarium in the Middle East.
  • An underwater tunnel at the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi.
    An underwater tunnel at the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi.
  • Visitors can book the aquarium tour or a behind-the-scenes tour.
    Visitors can book the aquarium tour or a behind-the-scenes tour.
  • The Flooded Forest zone is home to Super Snake – a female reticulated python, aged 14, that weighs 115 kilograms.
    The Flooded Forest zone is home to Super Snake – a female reticulated python, aged 14, that weighs 115 kilograms.
  • Inside the Red Sea Wreck zone visitors can can come face-to-fin with hundreds of fish.
    Inside the Red Sea Wreck zone visitors can can come face-to-fin with hundreds of fish.
  • At the Atlantic Cave zone visitors can discover what really lives beneath the ocean's surface.
    At the Atlantic Cave zone visitors can discover what really lives beneath the ocean's surface.
  • The Frozen Ocean zone.
    The Frozen Ocean zone.
  • The Ocean Magic zone.
    The Ocean Magic zone.
  • Inside Bu Tinah Island zone.
    Inside Bu Tinah Island zone.
  • The Ocean Magic zone contains a car filled with fishes.
    The Ocean Magic zone contains a car filled with fishes.
  • The Flooded Forest zone.
    The Flooded Forest zone.
  • The UAE's Natural Treasures zone explores the country's rich pearl diving history.
    The UAE's Natural Treasures zone explores the country's rich pearl diving history.
Updated: December 18, 2021, 12:41 PM
FitnessAbu DhabiUAE