STAYING FIT WHEN IT’S NEITHER TOO HOT, NOR TOO COLD

Here’s how to maintain that spring in your step…

April can be a tricky month, weather-wise. Gone are the cool breeze and grey skies that’ve played sidecar for most of the past few months, and your sweaters are dry cleaned and hung up. Literally and figuratively, there’s a bright side to all this, with the fury of the summer heat far from here. Here’s how you can stay fit and healthy while we’re in spring:

Shift into park

We’re in the final few weeks of being able to enjoy the great outdoors, so this is your sign to switch those indoor weight or cadio sessions for training alfresco. Get your dose of Vitamin D, fresh air and get the blood flowing with a tonne of bodyweight exercises you can easily do in your local park. Abu Dhabi’s endless supply of beautiful green spaces, including Umm Al Emarat Park, Reem Central Park, and Khalidiya Park will only make it easier.

Take a hike

Day or night, the UAE has some incredible landscapes to discover on foot. While you’ll want to stay hydrated, preferably shaded and even head out in a small group, few things are as healthful and satisfying as a good old hike through a trail, or up a peak so you can savour the view you just earned. Choose from friendly routes like Jubail Mangrove Park, or if you’re quite the daredevil with plenty of experience under your belt, head over to Jebel Hafeet and see how far up you can make it. Need more ideas on where to walk to? Turn to our cover story and find out more.

Water you waiting for?

Beaches are in abundance here in the UAE, which means sun, sand, and… sea. Combine your love for the great outdoors and your need to stay fit and healthy, as you partake in a host of fun aqua-based activities. Whether that means a boat ride around Louvre Abu Dhabi, stand-up paddleboarding at Mangrove National Park, or rowing at the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club. There’s never been a better time.

Stretch your limits

Roll out the red carpet (your yoga mat) and get stretching under the warm spring sunshine. You can get started on your journey to becoming stronger, more flexible, and mentally healthy as you embark on your yoga journey. Whether it’s a quick thirty-minute session after work or a nice, calm practice bright and early on a Saturday morning, the benefits of yoga and stretching outdoors will last a lot longer than springtime will.

Fitness is (Bi)king

Forget the tech and the maps this spring, even if it’s only for a little while. Get on the saddle of a good ol’ bicycle and pedal around some of the most scenic spots in the capital. Whether you prefer a more structured biking path such as the Yas Marina Circuit, wish to rip through the dunes of Wathba, or just enjoy views of the shoreline close to the city as you pedal along the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the health benefits of biking are diverse, and when you combine that with the outdoors of Abu Dhabi, it doesn’t really get much better as a springtime fitness activity.