ABU DHABI // Fitness fanatics, health enthusiasts and those just looking to become more active were among the thousands who worked up a sweat at Zayed Sports City on Friday.
Break-dancing, rock climbing, boxing, tennis, circuit training and body attack were among the events on the third day of Abu Dhabi Alive, aimed at fighting flab and encouraging a more energetic lifestyle.
The event also invites visitors to try a range of physical activities to find those they enjoy most and to pick up health advice.
In the fitness area, music pumped from the speakers as stay-fit enthusiasts joined in for a range of classes including body combat, body jam and Zumba.
“Group exercise is a great way of getting fit while having fun,” said Liz Duco, the head of group exercise at Gold’s Gym in Al Wahda Mall, who was one of the trainers working the crowd.
“Classes like these help improve fitness and strengthen muscles and bones.”
David Crocker, a personal trainer at Original Fitness, also helped to get the blood pumping.
Mr Crocker, 27, an Australian, led a series of high-intensity workouts designed to get the optimum results for short bursts of exercise.
They included obstacle courses, planking and a challenge where competitors had two minutes to do the most burpees, which are a combination of squats, push-ups and vertical jumps.
“We are here to promote health and fitness,” said Mr Crocker. “Exercise improves the quality of life and allows you to live healthier for longer. Eat healthy and keep active.”
Fasih Uddin, 15, of Al Alamana school in Sharjah, travelled to Abu Dhabi on Friday as part of a class trip to Abu Dhabi Alive.
“I have tried the basketball and pool. Pool was definitely my favourite,” said the Pakistani schoolboy.
Fasih was joined by his Egyptian classmate Mohammed Kishk.
“I did a lot,” said Mohammed, 15. “I have played billiards, pool and basketball and I am really excited about playing in a football match later on. It is definitely my favourite sport.
“Exercise is good. It keeps you fit and healthy.”
Their teacher, Rasheed Ali, 29, also challenged his balancing skills on the tightrope.
“It has been a good day,” Mr Ali said. “The students are having a great time.”
Maei Jeneidi, 33, took her daughters Sama, 8, and Masa, 4, to try a host of activities including tightrope walking, throwing rings and tennis.
“Fitness and health is important,” said Ms Jeneidi, a Jordanian who had a facial and visited a dietician at the event.
“We currently eat a lot of junk food and salt and we want to change that. Maybe by coming here we will make it our New Year’s resolution.”
Eurmeet Singh, 40, an Indian employee of Aldar Properties, attended the event with his wife, who tried rock climbing.
“It is very important to do exercise,” Mr Singh said. “It goes a long way to keeping you healthy.”
Visitors to Abu Dhabi Alive, of which The National is a sponsor, could also take part in cooking demonstrations.
Organisers have said the overwhelming response to the inaugural event leaves little room for doubt that Abu Dhabi Alive will return next year.
“We will definitely make it happen,” said Hayete Jemai, the exhibition director. “It has been a really fantastic response. Better than even expected. The exhibitors are really happy.”
Ms Jemai said about 4,500 people attended the opening day on Wednesday while, on Thursday, families made the most of a spontaneous public holiday, on the back of Dubai’s Expo 2020 win.
She said the range of activities, which also included a ladies-only fitness tent, quizzes, giveaways and free entry and car parking, proved a winning formula.
Ms Jemai said event organisers were also planning to launch Al Ain Alive in autumn next year.
“Daman, our principle sponsor, are really concerned about getting everyone in the community healthy,” she said.
“I think there is a real need for people to have an event like this where you can learn about healthy lifestyles in a fun way.”
Saturday is the last day of Abu Dhabi Alive, which is open between 11am and 8pm. The event is free to enter but costs Dh5 if people wish to take part.
jbell@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
