As I watched my children playing, I realised that this year my goal is not to get fit, but to get more active. And more importantly, to have fun while being active.
It is recommended that adults do a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, but no one wants to spend 30 minutes a day doing something they hate! So here are some fun, creative, ways you can keep active in Qatar.
Learn something new
Getting active can be seen as a solitary pursuit—think a lonely figure in the gym. Instead of taking yourself down to the gym and spending hours on the elliptical, why not take up a new sport? Join a team and learn something new, all while having fun and getting active!
Doha Netball
The only netball league in Doha, this unofficial club is run by the Doha Netball Committee. This committee is made up of a group of netball-loving volunteers who are committed to providing fun and friendly netball competitions here in Doha. Doha Netball Committee hosts both a social and a competitive league, as well as a regular Thursday training session for those who want to brush up on (or even learn) some netball skills. With each game lasting an hour, your active minutes will soon rack up.
- Location: Doha Rugby Club
- Sessions: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
- Phone (WhatsApp only): +44 78 4622-3957
- Website: facebook.com/dohanetball
Doha Rugby Club
Whether you are a newbie to rugby, a seasoned veteran, a first-team player or even a ladies player, there is a team at the rugby club for you. With regular training and fixtures for each team, those active minutes will soon clock up. All players need a playing membership, and the membership year runs from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020. The non-refundable membership fee reduces twice during the year, depending on the time of application. Fees start at QR 1800 for a single playing membership for the year, with family memberships also available. For more details on the fee structure, please contact admin@doharfc.com The club closes during Ramadan to allow for essential maintenance to take place.
- Location: Doha Rugby Club
- Sessions: Daily dependent on team
- Cost: Membership starts from QR 1800 per year
- Website: doharfc.com
Dragon Boat Racing
Originating from Hong Kong, dragon boat racing is a fast paced canoe race, with a crew of ten or 20 paddling to the beat of a drum. Whether you’re new to Dragon Boating or a seasoned paddler, there is a team for you.
Angry Dragons Qatar and Doha Dragons Qatar are both open to new team members—what are you waiting for?
Angry Dragons Qatar
- Location: Katara Cultural Village
- Sessions: Tuesday 19:00– 20:30 (Porto Arabia), Friday 07:00—09:00, Saturday 15:00—17:00
- Website: angrydragonsqatar.com
Doha Dragons Qatar
- Location: Katara Cultural Village by the St Regis hotel
- Sessions: Tuesday 16:15–6:00, Friday 06:30–09:00 AM, Saturday 17:00–18:30 (newbie sessions are also on Friday 06:30–09:00)
- Contact
- Website: facebook.com/dohadragons
Squash Coaching: ATA Sports
Back in 2003, Forbes ranked squash as the healthiest sport, taking into account the number of calories burnt, cardio endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and injury risk. Played indoors, making it an ideal sport to take up during Qatar’s long summer months, squash is a fast paced racket sport that enables you to use your whole body and mind as you hit the ball around the court with friends.
Abdulla Al Tamimi, Qatar’s top-ranked squash player, is the driving force behind ATA Sports. His mission is to bring a love of squash to Doha’s community and encourage more players to join the sport with a team of experienced coaches, male and female. Bespoke pricing packages are available for group and individual lessons.
- Location: Aspire Academy
- Sessions: Arranged at your convenience
- Cost: Starting from QR 250
- Phone: 3141-0600 or 3141-0070
- Website: atasports.net
Try a Class
For some people, the thought of exercising alone is enough to turn them off, so they need the motivation of others to carry on. With a variety of classes available in Doha, there is sure to be one that tickles your fancy. Here are a few to give you a taste of the options out there.
Evo Fit
With classes open to all levels of abilities aged 16 and above, from Bootcamp and Boxfit, to Circuits and HIIT classes, there is sure to be a class to keep you pumped as you get a good workout. There are several membership packages available, from a pay-per-class option costing QR 65 per session to an annual membership one at QR 5395 with no registration, contract, or hidden fees. Also, the first class is free!
- Location: Doha College West Bay Campus and Doha College Al Waab campus.
- Sessions: Sunday to Thursday
- Cost: Starting at QR 65 per class with different membership plans available
- Phone: 7783-9559
- Website: evosportsqatar.com/evo-fit-classes
MetaFit Doha
Many people say they don’t have time to exercise— clearly, they haven`t considered MetaFit Doha. Classes involve a high-intensity workout, designed by a former marine, that sees you push yourself with a series of body-weight exercises in an interval-style training session. Short, intensive, and rewarding—the guys down at MetaFit promise to set your metabolism on fire. Prices start at QR 50 for one session, QR 500 for 12 sessions (with a three-month expiry) or QR 550 for unlimited classes for a month.
And—you guessed it—your first class is free!
- Location: Doha Rugby Club
- Sessions: 08:00 and 17:00 Sunday to Thursday
- Cost: Sessions start from QR 50 with various membership packages available
- Phone: 6643-4301
- Website: facebook.com/metafitdoha
Royal Martial Arts
Different to your normal martial arts classes, Royal Martial Arts classes mix up several martial arts styles with gymnastics. Students get to try their hands at more complex kicks, flashy tricks, and flips, giving them a very broad introduction to martial arts. Not only that, but classes are pumped up with music and fun team challenges—getting active has never been more fun!
Yep, the first class is free.
- Location: Al Mana Hills, Aspire Zone and Al Rayyan Village, Al Messilla
- Sessions: Daily
- Cost: Payable monthly starting from QR 200
- Phone: 3335-1117
- Website: martialarts.qa
Join a Running Club
Sometimes you don’t want to join a class, you just want to get together with a group of like-minded people and get active together. You might not like running monotonous laps on your own, but joining a running club could change your mind on the sport.
Doha Bay Running Club
This is an informal free group for runners living in Qatar. With regularly scheduled runs ranging from walking for 5km to running up to 35km as part of marathon training, there’s something for everyone. The club uses various running routes across Doha.
Doha Moms Run This Town
This is the Doha Chapter of Moms Run This Town, a women’s only running club. With regular runs on Wednesday mornings at Aspire Park, this group proudly claims that although they’re probably not the fastest, they’re definitely the funnest!
Website: facebook.com/groups/dohamrtt
TriClub
TriClub Doha is the largest triathlon club in Qatar, encouraging juniors (ages seven and up) and adults of all abilities to have fun, participate, and enjoy all that triathlon and multi-sport has to offer. Annual membership costs QR 450 and includes professionally coached training sessions, a personal 12-month timing chip, free entry into club races, and a 30% discount to the Qatar Foundation Series.
Website: triclubdoha.com/en
Once you have your running buddies, why not get racing?
Ooredoo Marathon
Starting the year right with the running event of Qatar’s year, every January, the Ooredoo Marathon welcomes both professionals and amateurs to race across the corniche. Boasting 1K, 3K, 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon races, there’s sure to be something you’d want to try.
Qatar Running Series
A selection of races grouped into five separate series across the year.
Al Adaid Desert Challenge
This is the most anticipated off-road running and cycling event—one day, eight dunes, and forty two kilometres. This year’s event takes place on 28 February 2020 with online registration available until the 26th.
Website: aladaid.qa
Get a Motivator
Sometimes you need a push; you might not like the gym, but you like the feeling when you’ve finished a particularly gruelling workout. In that case, maybe hiring a personal trainer is more your style. There are a plethora of options, such as StrongBox Qatar, Pete Collins Training and 101 Fitness (where you head to their gym).You can even hire freelance personal trainers who are able to come to you at your gym. Another person is often the motivation you need to keep going.
Websites: strongboxqatar.com/pt ; petecollinsfitness.com ; 101personaltraining.com
Be Your Own Motivator
And of course, with most apartments and compounds coming equipped with a gym, you can definitely be your own motivator and take yourself down to the gym. Not sure what to do? There are multiple workout tutorials available for free on YouTube, with fitness videos from experts such as The Body Coach, Jillian Michaels, Fitness Blender, and PopSugar Fitness, to name a few.
Whatever you choose to do, get moving and have fun!
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional before starting an exercise programme and regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
