Hunt on for Abu Dhabi’s fittest person

Abu Dhabi: Haddins Fitness in the UAE capital has launched a unique initiative to find the fittest person in Abu Dhabi.

Part of the popular Fun Nation event, the Abu Dhabi’s Fittest Person Competition is under way at du Forum, Yas Island, where residents get to flex their muscles every night to qualify for the title.

The qualifying rounds which kicked off on July 14 will run until July 22 from 8 to 10pm.

“Every night we choose three male and three female finalists who will compete in the finals on July 23,” said Phil Smith, one of the trainers overseeing the contest.

The finalists are picked after being subjected to intense workout sessions that test their fitness levels through different heats.

Triple challenge

The grand finale on Saturday will include a lactate threshold challenge comprising short workouts that push participants to their fitness limits, cardio endurance challenge and a strength endurance challenge involving rapid workout rounds.

Each of the three challenges will carry a score between 1 and 20, and the male and female participant with the lowest cumulative score will be crowned Abu Dhabi’s fittest person in their respective categories.

Irish Graham Murphy, who is a regular at Haddins Fitness, said he is hopeful of winning the title. “I have already qualified for the finals. I expect some tough competition. But it will be awesome if I make it to the top,” said Murphy who works as a project manager in Abu Dhabi.

The winners will walk away with Dh10,000 each while the second placed contestants will get Dh5,000 each and Dh2,000 will be awarded to third place winners.

Smith said the contest is getting an enthusiastic response from residents. “The initiative is aimed at encouraging Abu Dhabi residents to stay fit and keep training during the summer months,” said Smith.

Participants can either pay a Dh40 entry charge per day or take a Dh150 season pass for the 20-day Fun Nation event.