Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina, the popular waterfront development in new Dubai, comprises a wide range of high-rise buildings and offers you a great environment to live a fun and active lifestyle.
Fitness facilities
The original six towers in the development — Dubai Marina Towers — offer facilities such as a state-of-the-art gym, a separate women's gym and three lap pools. With a membership, residents can also access a 25-metre lap pool at Angsana Spa (04 368 4356). The Marina Promenade offers squash and badminton courts in addition to a gym and pool, while Ocean Heights, a spectacular luxury tower, offers a temperature-controlled pool and leisure deck, a day spa, sauna and a jacuzzi. The Marinascape Towers complex offers a full health and leisure club, Aquacentro. It has an outdoor infinity swimming pool, a gym, an indoor swimming pool covered with a skylight dome, steam and sauna rooms, a meditation area and squash courts.
Resident speaks
Laura: "I like to run along the Marina Walk. It is always populated with joggers, cyclists, and walkers, while the skyline makes for a gorgeous backdrop during an evening run."
Why you'd like it
If you like everything under one roof (or at least in one area), Dubai Marina has some of the best fitness and relaxation activities around. While most towers offer a gym and pool, others also provide options like squash and badminton courts and even yoga and dance studios.
The Marina Walk and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)'s beachfront promenade, The Walk, are popular with residents who want to head outside for a walk or jog in the cooler months. Most hotels in the area have their own clubs where you can play tennis or use their fitness facilities for a fee. Super Sports Dubai at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina (www.supersportsdubai.com) offers tennis, swimming and other activities.
If you really like to sweat, Core Direction (04 422 5338) at the Waves Tower, Regime (055 919 7052) at the Dubai Marina Yacht Club or Studio Fitness (04 439 0403) at JBR provide a range of exercise programmes and classes. If you want to indulge in an innovative and powerful system of fitness that works the body like little else, Bharat Thakur's Artistic Yoga (800-YOGA) is located on level 2 at the Angsana Spa along the Marina Walk.
If you love water sports and you can't get enough of the Arabian Sea, Dubai Water Sport Academy (04 366 3538) offers several options including banana boating, swimming, waterskiing, wakeboarding and windsurfing. The best thing about Dubai Marina is that you have easy access to the beach — what better way to start your day than with the sand and sea right at your doorstep?
The Gardens
Spread over vast green landscaped areas, The Gardens consists of 129 low-rise blocks comprising one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and 208 villas in three and four-bedroom formats.
Fitness facilities
The community offers lush landscaped gardens, a football field, tennis court, walking trails, swimming pools, a cricket field, basketball court and volleyball courts.
Resident speaks
Prakash Iyer: "I moved from JBR to the Gardens as it offers serene green areas with walking tracks, cycle paths and a peaceful atmosphere away from the crowds. You get huge saving on rentals without foregoing any comforts in life."
Why you'd like it
Though The Gardens does not have a gym, it compensates with plenty of landscaped outdoor space. There are 200 hectares of lush grounds perfect for running, walking, cycling and stretching so you won't miss much by not having a gym.
Buildings 42, 43, 51, 52, 68 are closest to the pool and the football field, while 68, 73 and 74 are close to the tennis court. For cricket enthusiasts, the blocks in the 80 series are great because they are closest to the cricket field.
For some serious workouts you can check out Fitness First at Ibn Battuta near the China Court end of the mall (04 366 9933). There is also a gym at Jebel Ali Recreation Club (04 884 6628) in Jebel Ali Village, which is a seven-minute drive from the neighbourhood. The club houses a temperature-controlled pool, a gym and a tennis court. Annual membership at the club for a family of four (two adults and two children below 18 years) is around Dh4,000.
If you want to be a little more adventurous, Club Joumana at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa(04 814 5555) offers a wide range of watersports, including windsurfing, water skiing and kayaking. It also has a gym, tennis and squash courts. You could also try a new exciting game of Petanque here. Annual membership is Dh6,000 for singles, Dh10,000 for couples and Dh16,000 for family (two adults and two children below 16 years).
Downtown Dubai
One of the city's most glamorous addresses, Downtown Dubai is home to the iconic Burj Khalifa. A mixed-used development with a range of high- and low-rise buildings, Downtown's ‘live, work and play' appeal has attracted many young couples and professionals.
Fitness facilities
This is one of the best locations to experience a full range of fitness options. For those of you who love walking while you window shop, The Dubai Mall is right there. Walk to your heart's content in the air-conditioned corridors of one of the world's largest malls without the heat and humidity.
The neighbourhood also features wide pavements popular among joggers for evening runs or walks around the dancing fountain.
Most complexes come with fitness facilities. If you live in the Burj Khalifa, you have access to four luxurious pools, a 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art fitness centre, including jacuzzis. If you require more pampering, the Armani/Spa downstairs at the Armani Hotel offers 12,000 square feet of luxury including a fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool, treatment rooms and thermal suites. Next door, the Club features wellness facilities on membership basis.
For living options that are a bit more economical than the highest tower in the world, the Residences I and II, a cluster of nine buildings, feature two swimming pools, two squash courts and two gyms. There are also steam rooms and a badminton court. The Burj Views, 8 Boulevard Walk and The Lofts have a swimming pool and gym. The six elegant South Ridge blocks provide everything from a billiards room, pools and a gym to squash courts, badminton courts and changing rooms. The Old Town offers relaxation areas, pool facilities, an aerobics room and squash courts.
Resident speaks
Karim Al Bassatne: "The Residences have pools, gyms and squash courts that are ideal during the summer months. However, when the weather is pleasant, the park opposite the towers is perfect for jogging."
Why you'd like it
The best thing about Downtown Dubai is that you can leave your car behind. You can walk everywhere, whether it be for shopping, dining or just meeting friends for coffee. Everything you need is right there. For joggers or walkers, there are many areas, including the pedestrian-friendly Old Town with its shaded paths and Burj Park is a great option if you feel like getting outside.
For those who don't fancy jogging or running, you could head to Hayya! at The Al Manzil Club (04 367 3282 / 800 42 992) that includes a gym, a leisure and kid's pool, lap pool, aerobics studio, squash courts and steam rooms. However, revitalising your mind and body here comes at a price. Memberships range from Dh5,050 for singles, Dh7,550 for couples and Dh10,000 for family (two adults and two children below 18).
For those keen on combining exercise with a bit of fun, you have Arthur and Murray Dance studio (04 450 8648 ), in the West Block Souk Al Bahar, that provides dance classes like ballroom and spicy Latin American for all levels.
Since food affects your well-being and fitness you can benefit from several stores at The Dubai Mall that offer a wide range of organic products. Waitrose carries a selection of organic products and The Organic Foods and Café (04 434 0577) caters to health- and eco-conscious consumers. A community favourite is the weekly Farmers' Market at Souk Al Bahar. It runs from November to April.
If you miss lots of green grass and fresh air, Safa Park and Jumeirah Beach Park are just a 15-minute drive away.
Living in Downtown, it's easy to be part of the Dubai Creek Striders group (www.dubai-road-runners.com). Every Friday morning, the group organises runs that start near the Novotel Hotel at the World Trade Centre, just a short drive away.
Dubai Festival City (DFC)
Located along the Dubai Creek, this development offers three residential options: Al Badia Hillside Village, Al Marsa Plaza and Al Badia Residences. Residents can choose from studios, one- to four-bedroom apartments and terrace homes.
Fitness facilities
While Marsa Plaza offers on-site facilities that include two pools and a gym, residents of
Al Badia Hillside Village and Al Badia Residences can use the facilities at Al Areesh Club (04 232 5670). The club houses a state-of-the-art gym, a multi-purpose aerobics studio, tennis and squash courts, steam and sauna rooms, a covered children's playground, family pool and a lap pool. The Al Badia Golf Club (04 601 0101) managed by InterContinental Dubai Festival City features a stunning 18-hole golf course.
Resident speaks
Julia Roehrich: "I have not lived such a healthy lifestyle elsewhere, as I do in DFC. I have Al Areesh Club and many options to be active outside right at my doorstep. The community offers fitness options for my entire family: Golf for my husband, gym and fitness classes for me, while my kids have the pool and sport and art classes. The walkways are safe for the children to ride their bicycles and play."
Why you'd like it
For Marsa Plaza residents, keeping in shape isn't be a challenge with the health club located right in the tower. It includes a 450-square metre duplex gymnasium, a 25-metre lap pool and a recreational swimming pool. After a tough workout you have the option to relax at the rooftop lounge at the InterContinental Residences Suites, while enjoying views of the Dubai Creek.
Additionally, Al Badia Residences offers one of the widest networks of walkways, where you can run, walk, cycle or do in-line skating. Whether you want to master a new sport or just relax, the Al Areesh Club has something to offer.
Access to the facilities is free for residents of Al Badia Residences and Al Badia Hillside Village but you must pay for classes.
Why we like it
The gym at Al Areesh Club offers a great selection of fitness equipment and there is seldom a wait to use them. The pools are well maintained and kept at comfortable temperatures throughout the year. The club offers classes in everything including Zumba to kick-boxing, tennis, martial arts, yoga, pilates and belly dancing. Above all, the neighbourhood is safe. Even if you prefer late night walks or jogs there are security patrols around.
Festival Centre has a Fitness First (04 375 0177) but if you prefer to combine the best of yoga and pilates, Yogalates (050 328 9642) offers classes every Sunday at the Festival Marina's Promenade.
If you're looking to improve your game, the Al Badia Golf Club has a world-class golf academy offering individual packages and lessons for both beginners and experienced players.
If you don't want to spend all your energy getting around, there's a free shuttle (800 332 22/ 04 425 4999) for residents that will take you from your tower to the mall, Al Areesh club and the golf club.
Meadows
Set within a tranquil residential setting, the Meadows is a gated community with easy access to Shaikh Zayed Road. It offers three- to seven-bedroom single-family detached homes.
Fitness facilities
Organised in several clusters, Meadows features a community centre that includes a gym, pool and retail centre. The shaded tree-lined pathways are an easy option for joggers and walkers.
Also, you have two Hayya! fitness studios (04 362 7770). One is in Meadows 4 and the other is at the Town Centre near Springs 14 (04 362 7784/85). Both are located at the centre of the community and offer a separate women's gym, pools, a lap pool, a multi-purpose indoor sports hall, an aerobics studio with body conditioning classes, squash courts and steam rooms. Nutrition World (04 360 8800) offers the best in nutritional supplements.
Resident speaks
Alexis: "The lakes [at the Meadows] are lovely and it is possible to run or bike ride for miles without crossing a street."
Why you'd like it
A great deal of care and planning has gone into creating landscaped gardens and lakes throughout this Emaar's Emirates Living community, giving residents space to enjoy an active lifestyle.
Though all of Meadows has green areas, living in Meadows 6 and 8 offers you access to two big parks, both with large pools, tennis courts and playgrounds. It is also close to the park in Springs, the neighbouring community.
If you are not content with cycling or jogging, the Hayya! club has plenty of fitness options, including an indoor sports hall for football and basketball, a dedicated women's-only gym as well as squash and tennis courts. Also, the centre has a range of activities for the entire family including boogie babies, tennis and Muay Thai kick boxing.
If you are keen to relax, the Angsana Spa (04 368 3222), an urban spa haven at the Emirates Hill Towncentre is a perfect place to unwind.
Did you know?
The web-based portal http://dubai.duplays.com allows you to connect with other people who love to play the same sports you do. It is the largest sport forum that organises social, recreational and competitive leagues and sporting events for men, women and co-ed players in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah.
The indoor walking programme at Mall of the Emirates is a fun way to exercise and socialise for free in the cool air-conditioned mall. Walkers meet five times a week. For more information call 050 6577 057 or email deborah@strideforlife.com
Dubai Sports City is a development that has a series of sporting facilities, including Soccer Tots, Butch Harmon School of Golf and International Cricket Committee Global Academy. For more information log on to www.dubaisportscity.ae
