Summer walks indoors, and a training floor beside them
Khalidiyah Mall is a shopping mall on Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, on Abu Dhabi island. For people in the streets around it, the mall is part of an ordinary week. Plenty of Abu Dhabi residents also move their walking indoors from May to September, and a mall is a common choice.
This page is for residents and regular shoppers around the mall who already walk and now want to add strength training. RPM is one club, on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex in Al Manhal, a short drive from the mall. The general checks are on judging a gym that sits close to home.
What walking covers, and what it leaves out
Walking is a habit worth keeping. The World Health Organization's physical activity guidelines also say adults should do muscle-strengthening activities that work all the major muscle groups on two or more days a week, and a walk does not cover that. Here is where a training floor fills the gap.
| Part of the body | From walking | Added at RPM |
|---|---|---|
| Legs | Steady work at your own body weight | Heavier work on the leg press, or squats on the rack once a coach has checked them |
| Back and arms | Very little | Pulldowns, cable rows and dumbbell work |
| Grip and carrying | Only the shopping bags | Kettlebell and dumbbell carries in the functional area |
| Getting up and down | Little practice | Step-ups on boxes and work on a bench |
| Heart and lungs | Easy, steady effort | Harder intervals on a bike or cross-trainer, if you want them |
If you have a heart condition, joint problems or another health condition, or have not exercised for a long time, check with your doctor before you add training.
A first month for someone who has only walked
| Week | At RPM | Your walks |
|---|---|---|
| One | The free guided tour, then one session with a coach to learn the machines | As usual |
| Two | Two short sessions on the machines the coach showed you | As usual |
| Three | Two sessions, adding a little weight where the coach agrees | Swap one walk for rest if your legs feel heavy |
| Four | Two sessions and a review with the coach of what to change next | As usual |
A coach takes the guesswork out of those first weeks. Personal training at RPM starts from your goal and your timetable, so mention that you are coming from walking, and any health condition your doctor already knows about.
Walk days and gym days in the same week
Because the drive is short, a session does not have to swallow a whole evening. Two fixed gym days are far easier to keep than a plan to go whenever there is time. Pick the column that matches when you walk now.
| Day | If you walk in the evening | If you walk in the morning |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Walk | Gym session, then the rest of the weekend |
| Sunday | Gym session | Walk |
| Monday | Walk | Rest |
| Tuesday | Rest | Gym session |
| Wednesday | Gym session | Walk |
| Thursday | Walk | Walk |
| Friday | Rest, as club hours are shorter | Rest or a short walk |
| 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.
Check the table above before you fix your two gym days. Mornings start early and evenings run late, but Fridays are shorter and Ramadan brings its own times.
The drive, the car park and the rest of the household
The mapped route uses Al Falah Street and finishes on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street (Airport Road) into Al Manhal, with the figures in the route box at the top. At AD HUB you leave the car in the free on-site parking and take the lift to Level 4.
If someone at home wants to join you, men and women can train together in the Mixed section. Women who would rather train only among women can use the Ladies section, with its own strength and cardio equipment. Check which sections each person's tier covers.
Sources
Questions, answered.
Is RPM inside Khalidiyah Mall?
No. RPM has one club, on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex in Al Manhal, a short drive inland from the mall. Mapped estimates for the drive are in the route box.
I have never used gym machines. Where do I start?
Take the free guided tour first, then book one coached session so someone shows you how each machine adjusts. Plate-loaded machines such as the leg press and the pulldown are a common place to begin.
Should I stop walking once I join a gym?
There is no need. Keep the walks for steady movement and give gym time to strength. On days you would rather walk indoors at RPM, the cardio floor has treadmills, cross-trainers and bikes.
Is there a quieter time to train?
How busy the floor is changes with the hour and the season, so ask the team on your tour about the times you have in mind.
What should I bring to a first session?
Comfortable training clothes, shoes with a good grip and a water bottle. The changing area has keypad lockers for your phone and keys, and it is worth asking whether towels are provided.