FIGHTING FIT

Qh Lists The Fitness Hot Spots In Doha To Get You Into Shape

In the fitness of things, we at Qatar Happening, encourage you to hit the road and do whatever you can to keep fit. You owe it to yourself! The mind and body in shape helps shape our wellbeing. So without further ado, here’s a list of fitness spots you can get to, to get down to business.

Club Olympus Spa & Fitness

Fun-filled swimming classes sessions that introduce the basics of swimming:

Group: 10 sessions for QAR 900

One-on-one: 10 sessions for QAR 2200

FIND IT: Hyatt Regency Doha, Al Matar Street.

CALL: 4141 1230

NEW! Heavenly Yoga

Book your spot and enjoy a relaxing yoga session with Rehan only for QAR 50

Buy 2 classes and get the 3rd complementary.

FIND IT: Heavenly Spa, The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, Salwa Road, Fereej Bin Mahmoud, Doha.

CALL: 4492 1682

Sheraton Fitness

Get motivated to stay fit in Sheraton’s 24-hour fitness centre and unwind in their lush garden. Stay active with their short-term membership and avail exclusive benefits. Price: Starting from QAR 2,000

FIND IT: Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Centre, Al Corniche Street, Westbay.

CALL: 4485 4600

Aquacise

Ladies indulge into a fun session of Aquacise at the Cabana Club every Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8.00-8.45 am. Price: Per session QAR 60 and 8 sessions QAR 400

FIND IT: Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha, Salwa Road corner C-Ring Road, Doha.

CALL: 4428 1621/22

Relax. Workout. Refresh Health & Fitness Club offers you everything you need to achieve your fitness goals, from a personal trainer to world-class equipment to an open-air pool with stunning views from the 46th floor. Daily 6am till 12am

FIND IT: InterContinental Doha The City, Westbay.

CALL: 4015 8888

Fitness MembershipOptimising Fitness & Wellness

Designed for every fitness level, from committed fitness enthusiasts to beginners looking to learn how to live a more active lifestyle. The Fitness Membership provides access to sessions with expert trainers as well as the state-of-theart Fitness & Wellness facilities with regular guidance and body analysis sessions.

Fitness Membership – Individual QAR 18,000/ Couple QAR 34,000 (Annual)

FIND IT: Mandarin Oriental, Doha Barahat Msheireb Street, Msheireb Downtown.

CALL: 4008 8888

The need for a healthy lifestyle is imperative to maintain fitness. The need for doing so is even more pronounced given the general tendency to “live for the day” which is all very well in terms of enjoying life but never at the cost of one’s health. In a region that is known to face health issues like obesity and diabetes for lack of a fitness regime, it is all the more important to not waste any more time to take charge of one’s health. Qatar Happening talked to the movers-and-shakers of Base Sports, a fitness studio in West Bay, for a ringside view on this important subject.

What is the general level of fitness among teens or ones in their early 20s in Qatar?

Ilija: A good indication could be a look at some studies supported by MoPH a couple of years ago. General fitness and participation in physical activities among a population over 20 years of age is correlated with their previous engagement with PA (physician assistant) in earlier years. There is definitely room for improvement.

Interesting times are here with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and we hope it inspires the youth once again to celebrate sports and movement not just in front of their screens but by participating and practicing various disciplines of physical activity.

Srdjan: Numbers show we have one of the highest percentages of obesity cases in youths and adults as well. Anyhow, we are seeing improvements in attempts to overcome this issue and an increase in pedestrian-friendly areas which should have an effect on everyday lifestyle in the future.

What's the best way to encourage youngsters to adopt a healthy lifestyle through gym routines in the Middle East?

Ilija: Leading by example will always go a long way. Besides making physical activity more attractive through the media, the culture of physical activity should be fostered at home as well as in schools.

We all have a role to play. To educate instead of falling for short-lived trends would be a great choice for starters.

Srdjan: Increase in frequency and volume of physical education in primary and secondary schools would be a way to go, too. Physical activity is definitely underestimated in its ability to prevent a high number of chronic diseases.

Is obesity a serious concern among youngsters in the Middle East? What's the best way to deal with the issue?

Srdjan: Yes, it is. To educate through formal and informal channels and by giving more attention to other aspects and deeper understanding of physical activity and its impact on overall wellbeing.

Are we on the way to a gym culture that would suggest fitness is something residents take seriously?

Ilija: The gym culture is on the rise. Residents have plenty of options in choosing the activation that suits their needs. The biggest challenge is distinguishing ‘wants’ from ‘needs’ and planning the course of action accordingly. Curiosity is present and it will inevitably, lead to more conscious choices.

There are also smaller groups of enthusiasts that are taking it a step further and doing their best to influence and showcase various approaches to physical activity and lifestyle choices.

What's the number of gyms in the country?

There is definitely a huge increase in the number of gyms available on the market.

One of them is Base. You should check us out!

@base.qtr

Base Sports

Besides a panoramic overview of Doha in the heart of West Bay, Base Fitness Studio provides expertise in functional training and combat sports. The years of experience and passion that prevails in this small and dedicated team will provide you with tools that will stay with you on your fitness journey. Base offers personal training at its finest, a variety of group classes, and customised workshops for both private and corporate needs.

Dbx707

Aston Martin’s new DBX707 – the world’s most powerful luxury SUV – has created a buzz in the Qatari market after its stellar launch earlier this year at the state-of-the-art Aston Martin showroom in Alfardan Towers, West Bay.

The DBX707 has every area mapped out to boost performance, intensify driving pleasure and amplify on-road presence. It comes with a unique combination of blistering performance, supreme dynamics, unmistakable style and absolute luxury.

Starting with the powertrain, DBX’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine now features ball bearing turbochargers and a bespoke engine calibration to liberate more power and torque.

Also new to Aston Martin’s flagship high performance SUV is a 9-speed ‘wet clutch’ automatic transmission. Capable of managing much increased torque loadings compared with a regular torque converter automatic, this high-performance transmission allows output of the 4.0-litre V8 to be lifted to an immense 707PS and 900Nm, increases of 157PS and 200Nm over the DBX (V8).

Integral to the DBX707’s suite of performance enhancements is the standard fitment of Carbon Ceramic Brakes. Wheels and tyres are 22in as standard (in a choice of Sport and Ribbon designs), with an optional 23in alloy wheel offered in a choice of textured black or satin black with diamond turned highlights.

The adoption of a 23in wheel also brings dynamic benefits, with the larger diameter tyre offering improved steering response, better primary body control and improved lap times. Key to the DBX707’s exceptional handling is its air suspension system. It features a dedicated chassis tune optimised to its uncompromising demands and objectives.

In the spirit of placing the driver in control DBX707 introduces a revised lower console containing new drive mode selection switches. Now, rather than having to enter a sub-menu within the infotainment system, the driver has immediate fingertip control of key dynamic modes and setting.

In keeping with its extensive engineering upgrades the exterior and interior of the DBX707 have received an equally thorough design makeover. The result is spectacular – overtly sporting but with the style and attention to detail for which Aston Martin is rightly celebrated. Rear-end treatment is just as dramatic. Enhancing both aesthetic form and aerodynamic function a new lip spoiler has been added to the roof wing to reduce lift and increase high speed stability, with a significantly enlarged twin rear diffuser rising to meet the new large diameter quad exhaust system. the headrest, a contrast stripe down the centre of the seat and perforation pattern in the seat back and base cushion.

Finished in satin black to compliment the gloss black treatment of the diffuser this new exhaust has been tuned to deliver a unique sound signature. Completing the rear-end changes a new rear bumper complete with integrated quarter panel vents accentuate the DBX707’s muscular physique.

As on the exterior, the DBX707’s interior features a dark chrome finish to switchgear as standard. Bright chrome and carbon fibre can be specified as an option. Piano Black veneer is standard with carbon fibre or bronze metal mesh veneer finishes available as an option.

As the flagship model in the DBX range, the DBX707 has scooped a host of accolades. These include ‘Best Luxury SUV’ at the GQ Car Awards, Top Gear’s ‘Super SUV of the Year’ award and back-to-back wins in PR Arabia National Auto Award ‘Best Super Luxury SUV’ category.

Inside or out, the engineering team behind the SUV has transformed the DBX707 into something extraordinary, with a comprehensive suite of meticulous engineering solutions

The sporting theme continues inside with sport seats fitted as standard (comfort seats are available as a nocost option). All seat options come with 16-way electric adjustment plus heating in front and rear as standard. There are three choices of interior environments –standard-fit Accelerate, which features a mix of leather and Alcantara®, as well as the optional Inspire – Comfort and Inspire Sport, which features full Semi-Aniline leather complete with embroidered Aston Martin wings on covering the engine, transmission, suspension and brakes. In a nutshell, it’s a complete re-boot of each and every dynamic system that has transformed DB707 into the fastest and most powerful luxury SUV on the planet.

For customers in Qatar looking to further enhance the exclusive nature of DBX707 and create something truly unique, Alfardan Luxury Motors’ expert team is available to support with the ultimate in personalisation, through the ‘Q by Aston Martin’ programme. n

ASHRAF ABU ISSA, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, ABU ISSA HOLDING

AbuIssa Holding is a global diversified company with a network of production and commercial branches worldwide.

A family owned business, AbuIssa Holding operates in nine countries with more than 4,000 dedicated employees, working towards market expansion and global presence.

Representing a network of market leading businesses, AbuIssa Holding is positioned as one of the most diverse and progressive establishments in Qatar. With a portfolio that supplies the best in talent, innovation, expertise and resources, AbuIssa Holding continues to challenge the regions it operates in with its high level of expertise.

In just over four decades, Blue Salon has firmly established itself as brand of international repute in the fashion world. After starting out in 1981, Blue Salon continues to grow thanks to company's eagerness to change with the times. The future clearly looks bright for Qatar's premier retailer.

In an interview with Qatar Happening, Ashraf Abu Issa, the chairman and CEO of Abu Issa Holding, gives us a background into how he managed to turn it into a success story. Excerpts:

Since when have you launched your operations in Qatar and what has been the response so far?

My father established Blue Salon in 1981, but passed away just six years later. So by that time, I realised the huge responsibilities which came with becoming the head of the family and business at such a young age.

So I stepped into leadership and business management at the age of 19 where I was the youngest entrepreneur in Qatar. It was literally an emergency crisis management and the need of the hour, as I took the reins of the family business, while putting a hold on my studies and basketball career, taking one thing at a time.

Later on, I took over the family business with my brother Nabil. Primarily in Retail & Distribution business, the company grew to be one of the most distinguished groups with several activities and more than 100 stores in the region and more than 3,000 employees.

Retailing is a competitive business across Qatar. Abuissa Holding always stayed a step ahead of other retailers. Additionally, I have been always inspired to create my own concepts and find the gaps in the market. I generated most of my businesses from unique ideas.

Your retail shops linked with Qatar Rail would have been launched much earlier. What's been the response of the public at metro station shops?

It is a unique feature which has made travel a special experience for visitors to get in and around the city as you can find a number of shops, foods, beverage and service shops inside the metro stations, which is literally, all you need to enjoy a short or a long travel around Qatar.

How many online orders are received on a daily basis through FIFA website and what's the normal time it takes to deliver merchandise?

We are having an exceptional amount of orders and they are delivered within 24 hours.

Was it difficult to prune and select staff locally? How's their performance been so far?

Wem at Abu Issa Holdingm always strive to develop our business strategies to better deal with the market’s ever evolving requirements as they arise, and that not only the Qatari market but the global market as well. So, the process of selecting staff follows a full cycle of picking the right qualifications to fit our position. Taking under consideration the skills, abilities, knowledge, versatility, education and experience levels.

What's the order traffic going to be like once the World Cup kicks off? How many orders a day would be handled on average?

In the past few days, we noticed 50% increase of orders. Moreover, we have high expectations but are well prepared to receive huge amounts of orders during the World Cup.

Could you please elaborate on the

20 categories of merchandise you have promised to tackle?

We will offer different official merchandise items, including ladies’ scarves, ghutra (traditional head coverings), luggage, backpacks, work bags, candles, travel accessories, cups, home textiles, bed coverings, towels, and blankets.