ExpatAl

Hi all,

First post on this forum as I have very recently confirmed my relocation to Dubai!

I'm trying to make sure that my transition is as pain free as possible thus doing all my research in time for the move in April.

I couldn't find much information but I am keen to find out more about gyms in Dubai (preferably close to the Marina). If there are any recommendations and tips on haggling a good deal.

I'm looking for a gym that caters for weightlifters (rather than stacks of cardio equipment) so a squat rack, barbells and dumbbells are a must.

Eager to hear your opinions!

Cheers,
Alex

mission

almost all apartment buildings have a gym in the building.
failing that the only two gyms I can think of, off the top of my head is Fitness First, which is in Ibn Batutta (which isn't far from the marina) and Tribe Fit in the marina.

co durham boy

Mate to be honest there's so many you'll be spoilt for choice , some great gyms with top tier facilities .

Pongo

And lots of guys who have consistently missed 'leg day'

jam25mack

And a million and 1 personal trainer types....

Millhouse

original poster may want to look at The Warehouse Gym

mission

mission

what cracks me up is those guys who clearly have a pot belly/are over weight and yet doing heavy weights with the strappy belt thingy around their mid rift.

ExpatAl

That's what I was worried about because it looks like a lot of gyms don't cater for people who do train legs! e.g. has a squat rack

jam25mack

You don't need to worry about the gyms here. They are very well appointed.

Taz786

As others have mentioned, there is numerous gyms to choose from.

Be warned though its a lot more expensive. I'm a member of Fitness First and remember paying 33 pounds on a monthly contract when I signed up in 2006 in the UK. I'm currently paying 67 pounds which was a special staff promotion and paid upfront for the whole year.

jam25mack

Thats a bargain,

I was paying 4,500 AED (currently 997 GBP) at FF about 7 years ago...

Millhouse

They try and charge 500AED/month.

You can buy a secondhand membership of someone leaving on dubizzle - typically people accept 200/month.

I pay 1dh every time I go - thank you standard chartered.

Taz786

@ Millhouse - You have to spend 10k per month on your credit card to qualify for the 1dh offer

@Jam25mack - That would have been the normal price prior to staff discount and paying upfront for the year.

Paying that much forces me to go to the gym more often. Silver lining i guess.

jam25mack

I don't even pay 1 AED..... I just don't go!

Although that all changes on Sun. Just won the gym lottery in work. 3 months for free. Boom!

Changed my diet at the start of the week in prep. Fruit for brekkie (grapefruit, kiwi and grapes - home cut), pasta and beef meat balls (home prepped) for lunch and chicken kebabs and salad (home prepped and cooked on my new 'health grill ) for dins.... No coke, crisps or any other crap....

Th challenge is coming up in an hour or so with the choice of turn left and walk next door for a drink or turn right and drive home..... NO pints tho, I don't think G&T's can be that bad....or G & tonic / soda mix....