A day at the breakwater, with training in it
Marina Mall is a shopping mall on the breakwater, off the western end of Abu Dhabi's Corniche. People come out here for a day: residents on a weekend outing, visitors on a short stay, and families showing relatives around the city. This page is for anyone in that group who also wants to train that day.
RPM is not on the breakwater. It is a single club on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex in Al Manhal, in the middle of the island, so the session and the outing sit at two ends of a cross-island trip. Before you plan, read where RPM is, for anyone planning a day around the breakwater.
Two sample Saturdays: a cool month and a summer month
| Part of the day | October to April | May to September |
|---|---|---|
| Early morning | A session at RPM | A session at RPM, done before the heat builds |
| Late morning | Drive over and walk by the water while it is pleasant | Drive over and head straight indoors |
| Afternoon | Lunch and the mall | The mall and lunch, staying out of the sun |
| Evening | Back outside for the sunset | Outside again once the sun has gone down |
The workout comes first in both versions, for a simple reason: a training plan placed after a long day out rarely survives it. A morning session also hands the whole afternoon to whoever you are with.
If the group includes people who do not train, they can start the day later and meet you at the breakwater. Keep the drive in mind when you set the meeting time, and check the club's opening hours before you promise anyone an early start.
| 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.
Visiting Abu Dhabi for a few days
A short stay changes the questions. You are not choosing a membership. You want to know whether you can train on the days you are here, and what to bring. Settle these before the trip:
- Access for your dates. Ask whether a day pass or a weekly pass is available, what it includes and which section it covers. Both are time-sensitive, so the team confirms availability and price.
- Getting there. The route box only covers driving. If you will not have a car, work out how you would make the trip before you count on it.
- Your kit. Pack training shoes and a water bottle. The changing area has keypad lockers, and towels are worth asking about.
- The season. From May to September, plan outdoor sightseeing for early or late in the day and keep the middle of it indoors.
For a wider comparison of options for a stay like yours, see which gyms suit short-term visitors.
Hosting relatives who want to keep training
If you live in Abu Dhabi and family are staying with you, a breakwater day is a common outing, and some guests will want to train while they are here. Bring them along on your own training morning, then do the day out together. What to ask depends on the guest.
| Your guest | What to ask the team |
|---|---|
| Staying a few days | Whether a day pass is available, and for which dates |
| Staying a week or more | Whether a weekly pass is available, and what it includes |
| A woman who prefers to train among women | Whether her access covers the Ladies section |
| Someone who wants a coach while visiting | Whether a few personal training sessions can be booked for the stay |
Short-term options change, so confirm availability, price and inclusions with the team for each guest.
Women staying with you can train in the Ladies section, a women-only space with a strength and cardio floor of its own and the Pilates studio, where the roster's female coaches work.
From the breakwater to Level 4
The mapped route uses King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street and King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, then finishes on Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Street into AD HUB. The figures in the route box describe a short cross-island trip, and weekend traffic heading for the waterfront can lengthen it.
AD HUB has its own free parking, and a lift runs up to Level 4, so the session starts with the car parked rather than with a hunt for a space.
Questions, answered.
Is RPM at Marina Mall?
No. RPM's only club is on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex in Al Manhal, in the middle of the island. From the breakwater you cross the island to reach it, as the route box shows.
Can a visitor train for a single day?
Ask the team whether a day pass is available on your date and what it covers. Passes are time-sensitive, so availability, price and inclusions are confirmed when you ask.
Is the trip worth it on a day out?
It is if you want something a walk cannot give you, such as a strength session or time with a coach. If an easy day is the plan, a walk by the water in the cooler months may be all the exercise the day needs.
Can we use the recovery suite after a long day of sightseeing?
Ask whether your pass or tier includes the recovery suite, with its Finnish sauna, aroma steam room and ice bath. If you are pregnant or have a heart condition, check with your doctor before using it.
Can my visiting brother and I train together?
Yes. Men and women share the Mixed section, so siblings, couples and friends can train side by side. Confirm what each person's access includes.