A racetrack and riding club, and riders who want a steadier seat
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club is a horse-racing and riding club in Abu Dhabi, and the route box above measures from its racetrack as mapped. This page is for riders of any level who ride there, for parents of young riders, and for people whose work with horses is physical in its own right.
RPM is one club, on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex in Al Manhal, with no arrangement with the equestrian club. The route box rates the drive a short cross-island trip. For the general checks, read RPM's one club, seen from the stable yard.
What riding asks of a body, position by position
| In the saddle | What it asks | Gym work that commonly helps |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting trot and canter | A trunk that absorbs the horse's movement without collapsing | Planks, dead bugs and cable presses that resist rotation |
| A light seat over fences or at speed | Legs that hold a partial squat for a long time | Wall sits, split squats and calf raises |
| An upright position | An upper back that stays open while the arms stay soft | Rows and cable pulls to the face |
| Leg aids | Inner thighs that can squeeze without gripping with the knee | Cable adduction and side-lying work |
| Contact through the reins | A grip that lasts without tension creeping up the arm | Loaded carries and hangs |
| Tack, buckets and hay | Lifting and carrying from the floor | Deadlift patterns with kettlebells, coached first |
This is general training information, not riding instruction or medical advice. After any fall, and especially after a knock to the head, get a doctor's clearance before training again.
Most of the table happens on the training floor, with the cable towers, kettlebells and the plate-loaded leg press. Strength training at RPM explains what the floor holds.
One side stronger than the other
Many riders find that one leg grips harder or one shoulder drops, and the horse feels it. Single-arm and single-leg work in the gym shows the gap plainly and gives you a way to close it.
- Start each exercise on your weaker side, and match the repetitions on the stronger one rather than the other way round.
- Ask a coach to watch a short video of you riding, if your instructor agrees, so the gym plan reflects what happens in the saddle.
- Some riders add Pilates for posture and trunk control. At RPM the studio is inside the Ladies section, so Pilates there is for women only. Ask which apparatus a class uses.
Early rides, hot months and the gym day
In the hot months many riders move their riding to early mornings. That leaves the gym for later in the day or for the days the horse rests.
| Your riding day | The gym that day |
|---|---|
| A lesson or schooling session at dawn | A light upper-body or trunk session later, if you still feel fresh |
| A competition or a long hack | Nothing |
| The day after a competition | Mobility and an easy bike, or rest |
| A rest day for the horse | The main strength session of the week |
| A heavy day of yard work | Nothing more for the back. Rest, or easy cardio |
Keep heavy leg work at least a full day away from a lesson or a competition you care about.
| 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.
The club opens early and closes late, with shorter Friday hours, so an evening session after a dawn ride is usually possible.
Coaches, the Ladies section and young riders
Women riders who would rather train among women can use the Ladies section, which has its own strength and cardio equipment. Coach Maria is on its roster as a strength and conditioning coach, and Giana Suleiman Daqnoush as a Pilates and aerobic instructor. Men train in the Mixed section, where coaches cover strength and conditioning.
Teenage riders can start with youth fitness, which is coach-supervised and arranged and approved by a parent or guardian. The team can tell you the age range of each session.
Grooms and stable staff already do heavy physical work. If several people from one yard want to train, the employer can ask about corporate arrangements, which are tailored to each organisation and confirmed on enquiry.
Along Al Karamah Street to Level 4
From the racetrack, the mapped route follows Al Karamah Street towards Al Manhal. AD HUB has free on-site parking and a lift to Level 4, so you can arrive in riding clothes and change in the changing area, where keypad lockers hold your things.
Book the free guided tour on a day your horse rests. A team member walks you round, and you will not be asked to train.
Questions, answered.
Is RPM connected to Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club?
No. RPM is independent and has just one club, on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex in Al Manhal. The route box shows the mapped trip from the racetrack.
Will leg training make me too stiff to ride well?
Not if it is planned around your riding. Coaches pair strength work with mobility and keep heavy leg sessions away from lessons and competitions. Tell the coach your riding days before the first session.
I had a fall last month. When can I start?
When a doctor has cleared you, and sooner is not better. A head injury in particular needs medical advice before any training. RPM's coaches work in fitness, not medicine.
Do I need to train my core every day?
No. Two or three short blocks a week, inside your normal sessions, are enough for most riders. More is not better if your back or hips are already tired from riding.
Is there anything for a rider who has never been to a gym?
Start with a coached session or two. Personal training at RPM is planned around your goal and schedule, and the coach can show you a short routine to repeat on your own.