Commonwealth Games athletes help train budding gymnasts in Dubai

The UAE’s first fully equipped, Olympic quality gymnastics facility is providing gymnasts of all ages and abilities with some welcome respite from the summer heat.

Cristian Brezeanu, who has represented both Romania and South Africa, says the classes are attracting people because ‘it’s a different kind of fitness. It challenges your body and your mind. It challenges you in a different way, in a more fun and functional way’. Victor Besa for The NationaShow less

DUBAI // The UAE’s first fully equipped, Olympic standard gymnastics facility is providing gymnasts of all ages and abilities with some welcome respite from the summer heat.

Classes led by double silver medal winning Commonwealth Games athlete Cristian Brezeanu are attracting people who have never set foot on a sprung floor, let alone attempted ring muscle ups, handstand walks or got to grips with parallel bars.

“It’s a different kind of fitness. It challenges your body and your mind. It challenges you in a different way, in a more fun and functional way,” said Mr Brezeanu who has represented both Romania and South Africa.

“A lot of people are bored doing weights or group classes and want something that’s different.”

Sara Tirabadi fits that bill perfectly. A keen contortionist and aerial silks performer, the 28-year-old was looking for a new challenge when she found out about the classes at Fit Republik in Sports City.

“I always wanted to learn gymnastics but never found anywhere,” said the Iranian expatriate who has lived in Dubai for six years.

“I like the challenge it gives me and I’m always keen to learn new things. It’s always fun and you can do it summer or winter.”

Mother-of-two Florence Chevalier, 32, was a gymnast as a child and decided to get back into the sport as “a good way to get out of the house”.

“It’s a way for me to get some me time,” said the Frenchwoman. “It’s a good way to escape and good to go back to something you were good at. It gives you a sense of self confidence.”

Head coach Florin Purge, who was also part of the Romanian national team, said the “originality” of the sport was the reason for its appeal.

“It’s good for strength and flexibility, good for the mind. It’s also nice to do something other people don’t do,” he said.

“It’s a great way to get people active, people who wouldn’t necessarily go to the gym but you have to have a little courage to try it first. Many people are afraid to try it but once they come they have a lot of fun. It’s not just like what you see in the Olympics. It’s that feeling of being a kid again. It’s a small sport but it’s special.”

Mr Brezeanu agreed: “For many of the beginners it may just be their first time doing a handstand or a forward roll and you see the smiles on their faces. It turns everyone into kids again. People in the pits doing somersaults and flips, things they haven’t done since they were kids.”

In addition, he said gymnastics is “one of the best forms of fitness” because you “use your whole body”.

“It develops both strength and agility but it also takes you out of your comfort zone so it’s challenging both physically and mentally.”