Like clockwork, January comes around and as many people vow not to eat turkey for another 10 months, at least, they also resolve to workout more.
To help us all achieve our 2021 fitness goals, here is a round-up of the discounts and introductory deals at gyms in the Emirates:
The Den DXB
Dubai fitness studio The Den DXB is offering two free sessions as a trial this January. If any prospective members also buy a T-shirt, they will get a third free session. The Den DXB is located in Motor City, Dubai, and the studio offers strength and conditioning-based classes, as well as open-gym sessions for members to manage their own workouts.
www.instagram.com/theden_dxb
The Crank Challenge
Indoor cycling studio Crank is kicking January off with a 14-day challenge. Members are tasked with taking on 14 classes in 14 days, from Sunday, January 10, until Sunday, January 23. Anyone who completes the challenge will receive a Crank hoodie. Crank is located in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai.
www.crank-fit.com
Underdog Boxn's Resolution packages
From January 3, boxing fitness studio Underdog Boxn is offering Resolution packages. The 12-class package costs Dh1,140 (which works out at Dh95 per class), 24 classes costs Dh2,160 (Dh90 per class), 36 classes is Dh3,060 (Dh85 per class), 48 classes is Dh3,840 (Dh80 per class). The packages can be used until March 31. Underdog Boxn studios are located in Office Park, Dubai Media City and Index Tower, DIFC.
www.underdogboxn.com
Gymnation
Affordable chain of gyms, Gymnation is offering prospective members a free day pass. The gyms are open 24 hours a day, with more than 200 classes, including Zumba, yoga and Les Mills. In Dubai, Gymnation gyms are located in Al Quoz, Bur Dubai, Motor City, Silicon Oasis, Downtown Dubai and Mirdif; it is also in Khalidiyah Mall, Abu Dhabi, and Manar Mall, Ras Al Khaimah.
www.gymnation.com
Fitness First
Fitness first is offering prospective members a free day pass. The locations vary in size, with different facilities, but a number of Fitness First gyms boast swimming pools, running tracks and indoor cycling studios. The chain of gyms has 32 clubs, located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
uae.fitnessfirstme.com
Real Boxing Only
Al Quoz gym Real Boxing Only has a special deal for 2021, 13 months of fitness for Dh2,021. The package includes unlimited group classes and gym access, as well as a goodie bag filled with a mug, hand wraps and a hat.
www.realboxingonly.com
Abu Dhabi Country Club
Abu Dhabi Country Club is offering 15 per cent off its six month and one-year deals for single women, single men, couples and family packages. The winter offer is valid until Sunday, January 31. Single females will pay Dh3,124 for six months or Dh4,463 for one year; single males will pay Dh5,355 for six months and Dh8,925 for a year; couples will pay Dh7,140 for six months and Dh12,495 for a year; and families will pay dh8,033 for six months and Dh13,388 for a year.
www.adcountryclub.com
Vogue Fitness
The UAE gym chain Vogue Fitness is offering a seven-day free-trial membership. The unlimited access is offered to its studios, Vogue Fitness Marina Mall (Abu Dhabi), Vogue Fitness JLT, Vogue Fitness RAK, Vogue Fitness RAK Ladies, Vogue Fitness Yas Ladies, Vogue Fitness Al Ghadeer, Vogue Fitness Al Raha, Vogue Fitness Khalifa City and Vogue Fitness Yas Marina.
www.vfuae.com
Bodytree Studio
Abu Dhabi yoga, Pilates and holistic healing centre Bodytree Wellness Studio launched its New Year, True You deal on January 1. New customers will get 20 per cent off five-class passes, and existing customers will get two free classes when they buy packs of 10; and reformer clients will get two free classes with every eight class pack they buy. This offer is valid to buy throughout January, to be used before March 31.
www.bodytreestudio.com
MATCH INFO
Karnatake Tuskers 114-1 (10 ovs)
Charles 57, Amla 47
Bangla Tigers 117-5 (8.5 ovs)
Fletcher 40, Moores 28 no, Lamichhane 2-9
Bangla Tiger win by five wickets
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
SERIE A FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm)
SPAL v Napoli (8pm)
Juventus v Torino (10.45pm)
Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
Inter Milan v Genoa (5pm)
Crotone v Benevento (5pm)
Verona v Lazio (5pm)
Cagliari v Chievo (5pm)
Sassuolo v Bologna (8pm)
Fiorentina v Atalanta (10.45pm)
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL
Al Nasr 2
(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)
Shabab Al Ahli 1
(Jaber 13)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Sukuk explained
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.
Queen
Nicki Minaj
(Young Money/Cash Money)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).