What’s On has a guide on some cool indoor sports in Abu Dhabi, including boxing, yoga, zumba, pilates, belly dancing and trampolining.


Legs, bums and tums
LBT targets the common problem areas, incorporating a mixture of abdominal workouts, lunges, stretches and exercises for the legs, thighs, bottoms and stomachs. Check out the super cool Fit & Flex studios for session times. Stick at it and this conditioning class will help reshape your lower body in no time.
Average calories burnt per session: 400 to 500

Fit & Flex, The Pavilion, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakhl, Abu Dhabi. Tue 8.30am to 9.15am, Dhs60. Tel: (02) 5588990. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Golf Club. adgolfclub.com

Fita and Flex classes in Abu Dhabi


Kung Fu
Whether you are looking to feel more secure in your ability to protect yourself, are keen for an interactive way of working out, or simply want to live out your movie fantasies, a martial arts class in Al Ain is an effective way to achieve all three.
Average calories burnt per session: 400 to 600

Al Ain Rotana, Zayed Bin Sultan St, Al Ain, call for timings, Dhs400 for 12 sessions. Tel: (03) 7544447. Taxi: Al Ain Rotana. rotana.com/alainrotana


Combat fitness
One of the city’s newest fitness clubs is The Room, situated in Zayed Sports City, and it’s holding combat fitness classes this summer. It’s not a workout for the faint-hearted and combines martial arts with boxing. Expect to burn calories and relieve stress by kicking, boxing and fighting.
Average calories burnt per session: 600 to 800

The Room, International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, call for timings. Tel: (056) 3310310. Taxi: Zayed Sports City. theroom.ae


Squash
If your idea of fun is chasing around a less than bouncy, frustratingly  small ball in a room, you’re in luck: squash is one of the most popular indoor racket games around the world and can be played in the capital at the Mafraq Racket Club. Equipment can be hired at the club so all you need is a worthy opponent.
Average calories burnt per session: 600 to 800

Mafraq Racket Club, Mafraq Hotel, Al Mafraq, Abu Dhabi, daily 6am to 1am, Dhs50. Tel: (02) 6596666. Taxi: Mafraq Hotel. mafraq-hotel.com

Play squash in Abu Dhabi


Belly-dancing
Attack your stomach with belly-dancing classes for ladies at Gold’s Gym’s Al Wahda Mall location. The emphasis is on energetic movement of your hips and it’s perfect if you can’t stand the cheesy dance music played at many gym classes. Here, you’ll cut some rug to Arabic and oriental tunes.
Average calories burnt per session: 200 to 300

Gold’s Gym, Al Wahda Mall, Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi, check website for timings. Tel: (800) 46537. Taxi: Al Wahda Mall. goldsgym.ae


Capoeira for kids
This Brazilian martial art combines dance moves and acrobatics and is a calorie-crushing workout. It’s not just for grown-ups, as children can attend classes at Eden Studio in Le Méridien.
Average calories burnt per session: 200 to 400

Le Méridien, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, Sat 11.30am to 12.30pm, Dhs45. Tel: (02) 6446666. Taxi: Le Méridien, Tourist Club. lemeridienabudhabi.com


Spinning
Get on your bike and watch the weight melt away. That’s the promise from The Room, which runs classes of the world’s most famous indoor cycling program – Spinning. It’s the only official Spinning facility in Abu Dhabi and one room at the gym is a designated cycling room.
Average calories burnt per session: 400 to 600

The Room, International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, call for timings, Dhs65. Tel: (056) 3310310. Taxi: Zayed Sports City. theroom.ae


Trampolining
Head to Dalma Mall and bounce your way fit on the recently opened Adventure HQ’s trampoline park. It’s a low-impact way to exercise which, as well as being a great cardio workout, will also help with muscle tone. NASA research claims you can burn more calories if you spend 10 minutes on a trampoline than 30 minutes of running.
Average calories burnt per session: 200 to 300

Dalma Mall, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 10am to 10pm, Thur to Fri 10am to midnight, Dhs50 for 30 minutes. Tel: (02) 4458903. Taxi: Dalma Mall. adventurehq.ae

Adventure HQ trampolines in Abu Dhabi


TRX
Tired of circuiting 20 different machines just to get in your total-body workout? Try TRX suspension training – an all-in-one motion that combines strength and flexibility. Truth is, you don’t have to use stacks of weights to build muscle. Suspension training uses your own body weight from different angles to engage more muscle groups at the same time.
Average calories burnt per session: 400 to 600

Abu Dhabi Country Club , Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi Sun and Tue 10pm to 10.45pm, Dhs50 (ladies only). Tel: (02) 6577777. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Country Club. adcountryclub.com


Zumba
If the idea of running on a treadmill like a hamster fills you with dread, then head to Yas Island Rotana and dance away those calories. Zumba was created by Colombian dancer Alberto Perez in the 1990s and has become a global sensation, with more than 14 million people taking classes. Its series of hip-hop, samba, mambo and salsa moves are regarded as one of the most effective ways to burn calories.
Average calories burnt per session: 500 to 600.

Yas Island Rotana, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Sun and Tue 7.30pm to 8.30pm, Dhs81. Tel: (02) 6564000. Taxi: Yas Island Rotana. rotana.com


Pilates
OK, so maybe you’re a little overweight, or maybe you’re a little older and not as flexible as you used to be. This doesn’t mean Pilates is not for you. In fact it’s a great option if you don’t already have the physique of a rubber band, but are interested in the healthy benefits of what Pilates promises. Over time you’ll develop strength, flexibility and better coordination.
Average calories burnt per session: 200 to 500

Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, call for timings, Dhs85. Tel: (02) 6563500. Taxi: Monte-Carlo Beach Club. montecarlobeachclub.ae

Pilates in Abu Dhabi


Artistic yoga
This form of yoga has taken off in a big way in India, and combines traditional techniques with cardio training. The aim is to increase your body’s flexibility, while achieving fat loss at the same time.
Average calories burnt per session: 100 to 600

Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Sun and Tue 8.15pm to 9.15pm, Thur 7.15pm to 8.15pm, Dhs745 for 12 sessions. Tel: (02) 6970272. Taxi: Sheraton Corniche. sheratonabudhabihotel.com


Boxing
You don’t have to be Amir Khan or Rocky Balboa to take part in the boxing classes at Haddins. The sessions here place an emphasis on fun as opposed to technique and you’ll go through a series of endurance drills as well as learning different punch combinations throughout the one hour-session.
Average calories burnt per session: 300 to 500

Haddins Gym, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, call for timings, Dhs80. Tel: (02) 4034233. Taxi: Zayed Sports City. haddins.com

Boxing classes at KO Gym


Indoor ladies’ walks
Any exercise is better than no exercise at all, and even a walk around the mall can help shed a few calories and get the blood pumping. This community-led initiative encourages women to come together and walk in WTC Mall every week. The coffee break after the session is also a great way to meet new people. Best of all, sessions are free.
Average calories burnt per session: 200 to 400

World Trade Centre Mall, Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, Tue 10am to 11.30am, free. Tel: (800) 25327. Taxi: World Trade Centre Mall. facebook.com/adsocialevents