Your A-Z guide to a sizzling summer body

Aqua aerobics 

Want a low-impact form of exercise that’s high in health benefits? Then splash yourself into shape with Aqua Aerobics! Moves can include jumping jacks and running backwards which will boost your fitness, flexibility and tone you all over without putting strain on your joints. Dubai Ladies Club offers Aqua Aerobics classes, call 04-3499922 for more information.

Bootcamp workouts

Currently all the rage here in the UAE, a military bootcamp workout guarantees results in a hard-core four-week period. Ignite Fitness offer the GI Jane all-girls bootcamp that will burn fat and tone your body. Spread over 15 sessions, the workouts include cardiovascular sessions, strength training, military style exercises such as rifle drills and boxercise, plus hill training and interval jogging. From Dh1,000 for one month, call 04-3050844.

Cellulite blitz

Try a DIY massage to banish those bumps. “Get the massage technique right for the best results, particularly areas like the inner knee and upper thigh,” says Lotte Tissenkopfa, founder of Madara Skincare. 

Detox

To eliminate toxins and banish the bloat, try a detox! We love the bespoke Detoxification Programme at Talise Wellness, which includes a complete health scan including blood analysis, diet and lifestyle consultations, marine detox spa treatments and yoga and fitness classes,  as well as optional treatments such as colonic hydrotherapy. The three-day programme is priced at Dh2,995, call 04-3666818.

Eat smart

“This starts with breakfast, which will fire up your metabolism, giving you energy and focus. Include quality protein (eggs, low-fat dairy, etc.),” says personal trainer Sian Toal. Check out Nestle’s Fitness range of breakfast cereals which are made of wholegrain, fortified with minerals and vitamins to support your daily nutrient needs, and come in a variety of yum flavours including fruity and honey-almond.

Fake it

Get some pre-beach colour! Lancaster Instant Glow bronze gel gives you a natural glow while keeping the skin soft, supple and hydrated (Dh125). It is always recommended that you exfoliate properly before applying tanning products for an even effect. We suggest using the Dermalogica Exfoliating Body Scrub (Dh159) for fantastic results.

Grapes for a glow

“Cut five fresh grapes in half before passing them over your face in a circular motion,” says Mathilde Thomas, founder of beauty brand Caudalie. “This hydrates the skin with powerful antioxidants and gentle skin-brightening exfoliants – ideal for a pre-summer glow.”

Hips to die for

“For beach-hot hips, try this exercise,” says Fitness TV presenter and trainer Ladan Soltani (www.ladansoltani.tv). “Lie on your side and rest your head in your hand with your elbow supporting you. Stack your legs together, body aligned. Lift one leg up and down for two sets of 40 reps, and on the 40th, holding the leg up, rotate the toes up and down towards the floor.” 

In season

Forget processed, waist-unfriendly foods! Get a trim tummy by making the most of fresh seasonal produce and adapt your diet accordingly. Canadian TV chef Anna Olsen says seasonal ingredients not only taste better, but also offer more nutrition due to reduced shipping. “What grows together, goes together,” she says. “The more processed a food, the more seasonality it has taken out of it.” Head to the Baker & Spice Farmers’ Market in Souq Al Bahar held every Friday from 9am to 6pm, to check out offerings from local farms. Call 04-4242240 for more info.

Jump for (fitness) joy!

Whether you’re skipping yourself slim with a rope or trampolining your way into shape, jumping is a great way to blast fat for bikini season. It’s a top cardio exercise that’s perfect for time-strapped women who want to tone up fast.

Kickboxing

Fire up your summer fitness with kickboxing! Throwing some fat-blitzing punches tones your whole body, so it’s the perfect pre-beach exercise to get you into shape – and fast. Just an hour of kickboxing can burn up to a whopping 680 calories! Newly opened fitness club Apollo Fitness, Dubai, offers Muay Thai kickboxing classes in a luxe, stylish environment. From Dh45 per session, and free for members; call 04-4298744.

Lean secret

For a super-lean beach body and to banish sluggishness, try spirulina.  A recent study in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found those who consumed the blue-green algae worked out harder and longer than the placebo group, also burning more fat than carbs during exercise. Now Spirulina tablets (from Dh90) are available from The Nutrition Centre, 04-3447464.

Makeup for summer

Swap your normal makeup for a lighter option – we love the new Une natural makeup range that offer the barely there feel with a lighter formula, in shades developed to match skin tones perfectly. Made using mostly organic ingredients and with easy-to-use, eco friendly packaging, this is your perfect beauty accessory for a seaside sojourn! Available at Beauty Bay, Debenhams and Vavavoom.

Nutrition know-how

It’s not enough to just eat healthy, you also have to eat sensibly in order to maximise weight-loss benefits from your diet. Nutritionist Carole Holditch from Good Habits UAE (www.goodhabitsuae.com) suggests making small changes – like swapping regular dairy for low fat, or cooking with one teaspoon of oil rather than two. “Drink water about 30 minutes before a meal, or fill up with a big leafy salad to help with portion control,” says Carole. “Protein is known to have appetite suppressing qualities, so ensure you have a decent amount in each meal to curb cravings, and maintain your body’s lean muscle mass.”

Oranges

Don’t underestimate the power of this pulpy fruit! Not only are oranges filled with antioxidant-rich vitamin C, phytonutrients and flavonoids, they also contain hesperidin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, eating oranges daily lowers the risk of a variety of cancers and fights infectious viruses. Not to mention that they are super-satiating (they are almost twice as filling as bananas!), making them the perfect snack for the beach.

Purify your pores

Exercising outdoors opens pores, increasing the likelihood of chemicals getting absorbed into the skin. So, to combat this for a glowing complexion, try strawberries! “Fruit makes the most amazing, natural face mask,” says Leanna Doolin, founder of natural skincare company Pure Thoughts. “Simply apply mashed strawberries to your face and neck and let the natural antioxidants and astringent properties get to work.”

Quick fix workout

Don’t let lack of time come in the way of exercising your way to a sculpted body. Concept 10 10 is a unique exercise studio that promises a full body workout in just  20 minutes, using six specially designed exercise stations that train all the muscle groups, as well as improve cardio vascular condition. The method uses personalised resistance settings and extremely slow, measured movements for results. It is quite hard, but one 20-minute session a week is well worth the price for a toned body. Concept 10 10 studios are located in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, visit www.concept1010.com for more.

Renew your body

Collagen, which makes up about 30 per cent of the human body’s protein mass, deteriorates with age.  Professor Greg Whyte, from the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise at Liverpool John Moores University, says, “Studies show significant evidence of the benefits of internal consumption of collagen in the treatment of degenerative bone and tissue.” Try 100 per cent natural Proto-Col Pure Collagen Capsules, Dh178 at Harvey Nichols, www.proto-col.com.

Sleep

Is your muffin roll refusing to shift? Get an early night, advises personal trainer Dax Moy (www.daxmoy-pts.co.uk). “Abdominal fat is encouraged by the stress hormone cortisol. Lack of sleep and even a tiny bit of light causes levels to rise, so people should dim the lights  in the evenings and stop working on laptops for at least an hour before going to bed,” he says.

Toe workout!

Make sure your tootsies are in tip-top condition with a buffing pedi before you slip on those summer sandals. Popular at-home nail treatment service Dial a Nail has opened its first boutique salon in Dubai’s TECOM area, where they offer the luxurious Gold Signature line of treatments using organic Bella Lucce products. The spa pedicure features gorgeous natural products with exotic ingredients such as Moroccan clay, wine, green tea extract, lemongrass and real New Zealand honey, ensuring your feet are instantly flip flop ready! From Dh145, call 04-4534280.

Uphill running

To get trim faster, take your regular runs up a notch – like up a mountain! Not only is uphill running great for strengthening your legs, you’ll blast calories, be a stronger, faster runner and improve your hip flexibility. Add one uphill-running session to your workouts a week and you won’t look back (make sure you always warm up first, though). Opt for incline options on your treadmill, or head outdoors on the weekend to check out some trekking sites around the UAE. Arabia Outdoors offers various hiking options, call 055-9556209.

Viva Mayr diet

Most of us are guilty of scoffing food on the run. Yet mindfully chewing each mouthful is the key to better digestion, according to Austria’s famous Viva Mayr Clinic. In their new book The Viva Mayr Diet (HarperCollins),  medical director Dr Harald Stossier and author Helena Frith Powell reveal how to achieve a flatter tummy and glowing skin in just 14 days (Dh48, at www.shop.viva-mayr.com).

Wash your mouth out!

New research by Newcastle University Dental School’s Professor Robin Seymour shows plaque build-up has strong links with cardiovascular disease. His advice? “More thorough oral care regimes at home – brushing and using an alcohol-free mouthwash, twice daily, plus interdental cleaning and flossing each day.”

Xtreme training
 
Anyone who’s tried the TRX suspension training system swears by its ability to burn fat, and build strength, balance and flexibility by harnessing the body’s natural movements. A small, versatile training accessory – developed by a former Navy Seal looking  for an exercise option that doesn’t require  the fuss of traditional equipment – the TRX  can be used anywhere, and adapted to make  for fun, varied workouts. TRX sessions are offered at the Aviation Club, Dh50 per session. Call 04-2833071.

Yoga

Not only can you stretch, tone and strengthen every inch of your body with yoga, it’s the perfect stress-shedder after a long day (even if it’s been a long day at the beach, it’s still a great way to clear your mind!). Zen Yoga offers various yoga classes to suit all ability levels, visit www.yoga.ae.

Zumba

Spice up your workout with Zumba, which fuses merengue, salsa, mambo, samba, bachata, reggaeton, cumbia and hip-hop moves to a Latin soundtrack. Zumba expert Carl McCartney says, “Participantsleave the class feeling energised, uplifted and, after regular sessions, fitter and more toned!” Zumba classes are offered at Studio Fitness in Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dh50 per session. Call 04-4390403. In Abu Dhabi, you can head to the Crowne Plaza hotel which offers Zumba classes every Sunday and Tuesday at the Level Lounge. Dh30 per session, call 02-6166200.