Hey all,
Looking for some decent gyms in Abu Dhabi for powerlifitng & olympic lifting. I’ve done some searching and there are plenty of “normal” gyms, however all are terrible.
Any info is appreciated, thanks.
I can’t help you, I’m just here to watch this thread blow up.
I have a buddy who lived out there a few years ago and he lifted out there all the time. I don’t know the name of the gym but I remember it was a place where a lot of the military stationed out there lifted and according to him, it wasn’t much different than any halfway decent gym here in the States. It was probably the Armed Forces Officers Club.
http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/bodyandmind/features/26215-10-best-gyms-in-abu-dhabi#.UNdg0qU1bFJ
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
I have a buddy who lived out there a few years ago and he lifted out there all the time. I don’t know the name of the gym but I remember it was a place where a lot of the military stationed out there lifted and according to him, it wasn’t much different than any halfway decent gym here in the States. It was probably the Armed Forces Officers Club.
I checked out the website for that gym & it brought me to a page for a 5 star hotel, didn’t look too much into it after that as I assumed it would be another luxury hotel style gym. If your buddy says it was ok then I will check it out.
[quote]Cortes wrote:
I can’t help you, I’m just here to watch this thread blow up. [/quote]
No bombs here, actually a pretty cool place with great coin.
[quote]Mr.Nasty wrote:
[quote]Cortes wrote:
I can’t help you, I’m just here to watch this thread blow up. [/quote]
No bombs here, actually a pretty cool place with great coin.[/quote]
No, I’m just being snarky because I imagine this is going to be one of the shorter threads this forum has seen.
[quote]Mr.Nasty wrote:
Hey all,
Looking for some decent gyms in Abu Dhabi for powerlifitng & olympic lifting. I’ve done some searching and there are plenty of “normal” gyms, however all are terrible.
Any info is appreciated, thanks.[/quote]
I heard there’s gna be a Gold’s gym at AlWahda mall (not practical for me though).
Lemme know when u find any. I’m currently using cheap old stinky gyms around abu dhabu since they have the squat racks. The new ones are just all fancy machines and guys with biceps bigger than their heads.
I know this is late but has anyone found a decent powerlifting gym in AD?
[quote]Boofa wrote:
I know this is late but has anyone found a decent powerlifting gym in AD?[/quote]
No.
Next!
[quote]Boofa wrote:
I know this is late but has anyone found a decent powerlifting gym in AD?[/quote]
You would probably have better luck in Dubai, but it is a little bit of a drive.
I joined the Gold’s Gym here. Its about a 10 min drive from where I live and its pretty cheap compared to others here. I’d say its a tolerable money gym. Yes they do have a ton of cardio equipment, smith machine, and a lot of pretty useless (to power/weight lifters) isolation stack machines. However it kind of balances out with a solid adjustable half rack, decently heavy dumbbells (50 kgs :), a deadlifting/weightlifting platform (under the rack), good bench and a few great plate loaded machines (isolateral lat pull down, seated row). Your allowed chalk and can deadlift without hassle.
What really pisses me off though is that they spent all this money on dumbbells, racks, treadmills and machines but have 5 horrible barbells. Each one is bent and some to the point where they can no longer be used. The knurling is feels nonexistant and the bar conforms to no specifications being too thick (to compensate for low quality steel). They are bolt screw type barbells so the sleeves are usually loose. Management is in the process of getting crossfit rigs where they would get a much better barbell for the olympic lifts like their other branches. I would seriously consider getting my own bar to use at the gym as everything else is good if I wasn’t leaving in 6 months.
I’ve visited the officers club btw and it isnt anything special. Same low quality barbells and it lacks a decent rack.
Again if anyone stumbles upon this and knows of a better gym in AD, please tell.
Like you I am late on this. Have you found anything good? I’ve been using a tiny hole in the wall. I toured Golds Gym and it was a little too much.
[quote]Thegreatbambina wrote:
Like you I am late on this. Have you found anything good? I’ve been using a tiny hole in the wall. I toured Golds Gym and it was a little too much. [/quote]
The better gyms in Abu Dabi are “appointment only” gyms where you have a trainer and its just you and him/her.
There is a Crossfit outfit there, and they do have proper Ivanko bumper plates, etc. It’s also the only truly Jewish-guy tolerant gym outside of the business ones attached to hotels.
The only public gym I know of other than listed is the Rocker gym, which sucks, but has a couple of OK squat racks, which I’ve make work.
There’s a gym on Airport Road called Rak Gym. It’s pretty unclean and it smells but it has heavy weights and reasonable equipment if a little worn/old. It’s ALOT cheaper than all the fancy ones like golds haddins AFOC which are 1000+aed a month
you want to know the difference between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia?
Saudia Arabia don’t like The Flintstones, but Abu Dhabi do…
[quote]Yogi wrote:
you want to know the difference between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia?
Saudia Arabia don’t like The Flintstones, but Abu Dhabi do…[/quote]
Might want to hold on to that day job…
There are a couple of decent ones in Hamdan street with ‘okay’ squat racks and bumper plates. I checked one by one. They have a reasonable fee too. You just got to deal with people that stare at your workout (squats/deadlifts/etc). I’m used to it. Don’t forget to ask if you can drop your deadlifts before you enroll to a gym. Some if not most will take you for a douche if they see you lifting heavy shit.
I go to a gym near World Trade Center, just the building in front of the mall. 1st floor. The bars are pretty okay.
[quote]Varqanir wrote:
[quote]Yogi wrote:
you want to know the difference between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia?
Saudia Arabia don’t like The Flintstones, but Abu Dhabi do…[/quote]
Might want to hold on to that day job…
:)[/quote]
I laughed. I’m shaking my head. But I laughed. A little.