A campus under a dome on Reem
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi describes itself on its website as sitting under its dome on Reem Island and teaching in French and English, and its contact page lists a sports centre. This page is for the people who spend their weekdays there: students, teaching staff and the teams who run the campus. Ask the university what its sports centre offers and when, because it may cover more of your routine than you expect.
RPM's only club is over the bridge on the main island, on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex in Al Manhal. From the campus, the route box rates the drive a short cross-island trip, with a bridge between Reem and the club. For the general checks, see planning a gym trip around a campus week on Reem.
Where you sleep decides which evenings work
| Where you live | Weeknight sessions | Weekend sessions |
|---|---|---|
| On the main island, driving to Reem each day | A strong fit: stop at RPM on the way home, with no extra crossing | Only if you want a longer session or a class |
| On Reem, in a flat by the campus | Two crossings per visit, so keep to one or two fixed evenings | Often the easier choice, with time for a longer visit |
| On the mainland | Rarely realistic after a full day | Worth it only for something specific, such as a coach or the Ladies section |
If you are in the first row, RPM fits your week with the least effort. Leave campus, train, then carry on home, and the evening still has room in it. Students in the second row should count both crossings before signing up for anything.
Late classes and the club's closing time
Campus days do not always finish at office hours. If your timetable includes evening classes, a session afterwards only works when all of it fits before the club closes, including the drive off Reem.
- Check your latest class each week against the hours below, then work backwards: the session, the drive and time to change.
- Pack your kit in the morning, so a late class runs straight into training instead of a trip home first.
- Keep late sessions moderate. A hard workout that finishes late can cost you sleep before an early lecture.
- The club closes earlier on Fridays, so keep Friday evening for rest.
| 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.
Ramadan changes university timetables and club hours alike. Rebuild the week once you know both, and move sessions to after iftar if you are fasting.
Weekend visits that are worth a crossing
For students and staff who live on Reem, the weekend is when a trip to Al Manhal makes most sense, because there is no class to hurry back for. Use the longer slot for something the island cannot easily give you:
- A coached session through personal training, with the coach also setting the weekday sessions you do on Reem.
- For women, the Ladies section, which is for women only and has its own strength and cardio equipment and the Pilates studio, where reformer classes run.
- A heavier lifting day on the squat rack and plate-loaded machines, followed by the recovery suite if your tier includes it. Ask a doctor before the sauna or ice bath if you are pregnant or have a heart condition.
- An errand on the main island in the same outing, with the session first.
Exams, breaks and the drive off Reem
In exam weeks, cut the crossing before you cut training: a short session wherever you are, or a rest day, beats a long round trip. Before a break, decide whether you will be in Abu Dhabi, and if you will not, ask the team what your membership allows. The guide for university students covers planning by semester in more depth.
Off the island, the mapped route runs along Hazza' Bin Zayed The First Street (Defence Road) and Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (Salam Street). At AD HUB the parking is free and on site, and the lift takes you up to Level 4.
Sources
Questions, answered.
Is RPM on Reem Island or connected to the Sorbonne campus?
No. RPM is a single club in Al Manhal, on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex on the main island, with no link to the university. The route box shows the mapped trip from the campus.
Is there a student or staff rate?
RPM does not publish prices, so ask the team rather than assume one exists. Tier inclusions and prices are confirmed when you enquire.
The campus lists a sports centre. Why would I train anywhere else?
You may not need to. Use the campus for what it covers well, and look at RPM for a gap it leaves for you, such as a coach of your own, a section for women only, or heat and cold after training.
Can I book coaching in French?
RPM does not publish which languages each coach works in. Ask the team before you book a coached session.
I have a gap between two classes. Is that enough for a session?
Rarely. Two bridge crossings, a session and changing back take longer than most gaps allow. Train before your first class or after your last one, and use a short gap for a walk or some reading.