A Corniche address and a pair of running shoes
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi is a hotel on Corniche Street. This page is for guests who travel with running shoes: people who run most days at home, want to keep that going here, and plan some strength work alongside it.
RPM is not on the Corniche and has no link with the hotel. Its one club is on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex, inland in Al Manhal. Read where RPM's club sits for someone who runs the Corniche, then split the week as below: runs on the promenade, strength across the island.
Which months suit the promenade
| When you visit | Runs on the promenade | What moves indoors |
|---|---|---|
| October and November | Early mornings and evenings | Strength, and any hard intervals |
| December to February | Most of the day, for most runners | Strength only |
| March and April | Early mornings again | Strength, plus longer efforts on warmer days |
| May to September | Only around first light or after dark, and shorter | Strength and most of the running, onto treadmills |
These are rough patterns, and any year can run warmer or cooler. Carry water on every outdoor run. If you feel dizzy or sick in the heat, stop, find shade and get medical help if it does not pass.
RPM's training floor has treadmills, cross-trainers, an upright bike and spin bikes, so a summer visit does not have to mean giving up running. It just moves to a belt beside a window.
Match the strength work to where your running is
| Your running right now | Strength at RPM | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| A race in the next few weeks | One short session a week, at loads you know | Arriving fresh on race day matters more than progress |
| Building up after a race | Two sessions, a little heavier each time | Keep heavy leg work away from your longest run |
| Holiday running, no plan | One full session in the week | Think of it as upkeep, and enjoy the promenade |
| A pause from running | Strength, with the bikes or cross-trainers for cardio | If running hurts, see a physiotherapist before you start again |
For a second opinion on how strength fits your running, book a single session with a coach through personal training and bring your plan with you.
Ordering runs and lifts, and packing for both
- Run first thing on the promenade and lift later that day or the next morning, rather than the other way round.
- Put the heaviest leg session at least a day before your longest run.
- Keep arrival day for an easy run or nothing. Save the trip across the island for a rested morning.
- Pack flat shoes for lifting as well as running shoes. Thick cushioned soles feel unsteady under a heavy squat.
- For summer runs after dark, a light layer that drivers can see is worth the space in your case.
- Keypad lockers in the changing area hold your kit during a session. Ask the team about showers, and whether towels are provided, if you plan to go straight on to breakfast or a meeting.
If you plan two strength sessions in one week, ask whether a weekly pass is available. Passes are time-sensitive, so the team confirms the price, what it covers and whether one is on offer for your dates. For judging any gym against your hotel, see choosing a gym for your hotel stay.
From Corniche Street to Level 4
The mapped route heads inland on King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street and ends on Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Street into AD HUB. By the route box's figures it is a short cross-island trip. At the end, AD HUB's free on-site parking and a lift bring you up to Level 4.
| 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.
Opening starts early, which suits a strength session straight after a dawn run. Fridays are shorter.
Questions, answered.
Is RPM somewhere on the Corniche?
No. RPM has one club, on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex in Al Manhal, and nothing on the waterfront. The route box shows the mapped drive from the hotel.
Could I run to RPM from the hotel?
This page does not plan a running route, and the mapped trip crosses the island by road. Take a car or taxi, and keep your runs for the promenade.
Is a treadmill session worth the trip in summer?
On its own, rarely. Pair it with strength work so the visit covers both, and check first that your access includes the floor you want.
Is there a women-only floor for runners who prefer one?
Yes. The Ladies section is for women only, with its own cardio and strength equipment and the Pilates studio. Ask the team whether a visitor's pass covers it.
Can I use the recovery suite after a long run?
Ask whether your pass includes it first. After a hot run, more heat may not appeal, and the suite is not for everyone: if you are pregnant or have a heart condition, a doctor should clear it before you go in.