Tried and Tested: Aqua Spin in Dubai

Written by:
Stacey Siebritz
8th December 2016

This water-based class is surprisingly hard work (in a good way)…

Before we tried Aqua Spin, we have to admit that we weren’t interested in water workouts. Blame our lacklustre experience of aqua aerobics – something about exercising in a pool just didn’t appeal.

But Aqua Spin is not your average class. It’s a 45-minute, full body workout that, according to co-founder Alicia Antonuccio, burns up to 800 calories per session.

The location certainly adds to the appeal; the specially designed bikes are submerged in a lovely outdoor pool, shaded by palm trees and just a short stroll from the beach. It’s the only outdoor aqua biking facility in Dubai, and the first Aqua Spin class to open outside of Singapore and Australia.

Like the name suggests, Aqua Spin is essentially a spin class underwater. Sat on the bike, you’ll be submerged up to your chest and pedal at different levels of intensity throughout the class. HIIT-style intervals are mixed with upper body moves like push-ups and tricep dips, performed using the bike as a prop.

Heads up, we were surprised at how achey our muscles were the day after the class – this stuff obviously works.

A few tips for your first class: although you could technically get away with just a swimming costume, we recommend wearing shorts or leggings as well, for maximum comfort (and minimum chafing). Shoes aren’t necessary – your feet will be in slider-style sandals attached to the pedals. Make sure to set the seat at the correct height (in line with your hip bone) before the class begins, as this will make a huge difference to your comfort.

While the resistance of the water makes it technically harder than a traditional spin class, Alicia says that it’s actually much gentler on your body.

“The buoyancy of the water provides cushioning to protect your bones and joints. During the exercise, you are also massaged by the water, which improves circulation and flushes out toxins,” she adds.

Alicia became hooked on the class after she was diagnosed with patellofemoral syndrome, a severe knee injury, and told she could only do water-based exercises. It’s perfect for anyone who’s suffering from an injury and needs to avoid high-impact workouts. Of course, we do recommend you get the all clear from a doctor before trying any new class with an injury.