What we’re loving: Ways to be active and eat healthy

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  Courtesy Mushrif Equestrian Club

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  Courtesy Verko photography

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  Courtesy Yas Marina Circuit

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  Courtesy of Virgin Megastore

Music to your ears

Headphones are essential fitness equipment, but finding the perfect pair – ones that are comfortable, have great sound, don’t fall out, aren’t too heavy and won’t get damaged when you sweat – can sometimes be difficult.

Jabra’s Sport Coach bluetooth earphones may fit the bill. As well as quality sound, the main selling points are a motion sensor and workouts that can be accessed through the associated app.

The sensor tracks pace and distance for activities ranging from walking and running (treadmill or general) to hiking, skating, cycling and more. Users can set targets for pace, intervals, speed or distance and be informed through the headphones at set times. While in theory it seems like a great function, I found huge differences between it and the readings from the treadmill, or other GPS tracking devices.

My favourite aspect of the app, though, is the workouts, which vary from three to six minutes and are amendable. With names such as BellyBurn, MadCore and TakeOff, the workouts combine high-intensity interval training with core work and are great for when you have limited time or are not sure what to do in the gym. Users can change the number of sets, number of reps and the amount of rest between. There’s also the option to create your own workouts.

The sound quality is great, although during running and high-intensity activities, the buds did not stay in my ears. I have quite small ears and had to use the smallest attachments, which made it hard to keep the ear buds in place. Users with larger ears would probably find they have greater staying power.

Verdict: I enjoyed using these headphones and would recommend them for the sound quality and related app, but if you’re looking to track and record times and distances, I’d stick with the GPS. The Jabra Sport Coach costs Dh599 and is available at most major sports and electronics.

Back in the saddle

Now that the weather has cooled off, I’ve been starting my weekends in the horse’s saddle, riding around Mushrif Park in Dubai on a Friday morning. Horse riding is a great workout for the body, especially the legs and core, but it’s also a beautiful feeling being at one with the horse, cantering through the sand, weaving in and out of trees, the only sounds being the horse’s heavy breath and birds chirping (and maybe a few Emirates planes flying overhead). Some say that you can burn up to 650 calories in an hour of horse riding, however this depends on the intensity of the riding. The faster the horse goes, the more strength and balance is required to stay on, and in control.

There are many places in the UAE where you can ride and most cater for beginners to the more experienced. Visit the directory at www.horse-uae.com for a comprehensive list of stables. Mushrif Equestrian Centre (www.mushrifec.com) is at Mushrif Park in Dubai. Desert hacks cost Dh300 for 90 minutes and lessons Dh250 for 50 minutes. There is also a Dh10 fee per car for park entry.

Superfood salad

The National’s travel editor Rosemary Behan has given two thumbs up to the kale and quinoa salad from the new menu at Caramel restaurant at The Collection – St Regis Saadiyat Island. The salad for Dh55 includes almond flakes, green beans, grapes, raisins, butter milk and pepper dressing.

Walk for a cause

Don't forget about tomorrow's Walk2015, the annual diabetes walkathon at Yas Marina Circuit. Organisers, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, are expecting 20,000 participants to make their way around the 5.5km track, joined by American rapper DJ Unk and DJ Montay (pictured in black T-shirt, top left), who will also perform after the walk. Gates open at 2pm and the walk starts at 5pm. There will be an entertainment village with family activities and healthy food and beverages. Tickets cost Dh10 each, however children 16 and under can participate for free. Register at www.walk2015.com

Liquid of life

Adding fruit and herbs to water is a great way to flavour it with very few, if any, extra calories. The Aqua Zinger allows you to flavour water easily, while keeping the pulp and chunks out. Add chopped fruit and herbs – lemon and mint is a personal favourite – to the bottom compartment, screw in the reservoir, which grinds the ingredients, then fill with water. Give it some time to infuse then enjoy straight from the bottle. You can keep refilling it throughout the day too so it’s perfect for the office. Dh149, available from Virgin Megastores.