Pick the window before the gym
Most office workers train in one of three windows, and each points to a different kind of gym. A lunchtime trainer needs somewhere to get to, train in and leave inside a lunch break, which usually means a gym by the office. Someone who trains before work or on the way home has more choice, because the gym only has to sit on the commute.
If you are considering RPM, its location and parking page explains where the club is and how to time the trip from your office or your home.
Three office-day windows compared
| Window | Where the gym should be | What makes it work | Where it usually goes wrong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before work | On your commute, or by the office | An opening time early enough for a full session and a quick change before your first meeting | Late starts after a bad night, and meetings that creep earlier |
| Lunch break | By the office, ideally in the same building or a short walk away | A gym you can get in and out of quickly, a short session plan and time to cool down before you change | A meeting that overruns, or a queue for the changing room |
| After work | On the way home | Parking on arrival, an hour that is not the gym's busiest and some energy left in the tank | Meetings that run late, and the evening traffic |
Choose the window you can protect on your worst week, not on a quiet one. A lunchtime plan that depends on a quiet diary rarely survives a busy quarter, while a before-work slot is often the one nobody else wants.
Parking at both ends
A gym trip from the office involves two car parks. If you drive from work to the gym at lunch, find out whether your office space will still be there when you return, or whether a paid bay is waiting. Street parking in many central areas is paid and time-limited, which suits a quick errand better than a full session and a change.
On the gym side, look for parking that belongs to the building, and check it at your hour rather than on a quiet afternoon. At RPM there is free on-site parking at AD HUB, and the lift goes up to Level 4.
Back at your desk presentable
A gym by the office only works if you can walk back in ready for a meeting. Before you join, look at the changing area at the hour you would use it.
- Showers: how many there are, how busy they get at lunch and after work, and whether you need your own toiletries. Ask rather than assume.
- Towels: ask whether towels are provided or whether you bring your own.
- Lockers: whether you can leave a bag during the day or only while you train.
- Getting ready: mirrors, hairdryers and room to do make-up or fix a headscarf without rushing.
- Dress codes: if your office is formal, keep a spare shirt and shoes at work instead of carrying them every day.
At RPM, the changing area has keypad lockers and the grooming hub has a vanity area with hairdryers and products. Ask the team about showers and towels for your section when you visit.
Lay the gym's hours over your working week
Opening hours matter more to office workers than to anyone, because your gaps in the day are fixed. Check the gym's hours against your start and finish times, your Friday, and the Saturday and Sunday weekend if you will train then too. Many workplaces shorten the day in Ramadan, and gyms often adjust their hours for the month, so ask what changes before you sign.
| Days | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Saturday to Thursday | 06:00–23:00 |
| Friday | 09:00–22:00 |
Hours can change, for example during Ramadan. Confirm with the team before a late or early visit.
RPM opens early and closes late, with shorter hours on Fridays. Friday prayers also reshape the day for many people, so if Friday is one of your training days, plan the session around them.
Choosing the membership, and asking your employer
How do I choose a gym membership near work in Abu Dhabi?
Choose it for the days you will use it. If you will train only on office days, ask whether the gym has a membership suited to weekday use. Ask which sections and facilities each tier includes, whether you can freeze it for summer travel, and what happens if your office moves. RPM has three tiers, Floor, Engine and Atelier, and inclusions and prices are confirmed on enquiry.
Some employers in Abu Dhabi pay a gym allowance, reimburse a membership or set up an arrangement with a gym, so ask HR before you pay. The reimbursement guide explains the paperwork. RPM tailors corporate arrangements to each organisation, confirmed on enquiry.
A trial run before you commit
- Book the free guided tour in the window you plan to use, so you see the floor and the changing area at that hour.
- Drive there from the office, park and time the trip up to the training floor.
- If you want to train there before joining, ask about a day or weekly pass, and confirm availability, price and inclusions with the team.
- Go back to your desk afterwards and notice how long the whole round trip took.
Questions, answered.
Is a lunchtime workout long enough to be worth it?
It can be, if you plan it. A short, focused session you repeat every week does more for you than a long one you keep cancelling. Count the time for changing and cooling down, not only the training.
What if I work from home on some days?
Choose for the days you will most often train. If home days are most of your week, a gym on your home side may suit you better, with office-day sessions as the extra.
Will my employer pay for my gym membership?
Some do, through an allowance, reimbursement or a corporate arrangement. Ask HR what they cover and what paperwork they need before you sign anything.
Can colleagues join a gym together?
Many gyms set up corporate memberships for a group of staff. At RPM, corporate arrangements are tailored to each organisation and confirmed on enquiry.
What should I keep at the office?
A spare shirt, shoes and deodorant save you carrying everything each day. Keep damp kit out of the office and take it home the same evening.