My UAE: Emirati fitness trainer Abeer Al Amiri

A profile of the Emirati fitness trainer Abeer Al Amiri.

Abeer Amiri, pictured during one of her classes at Haddins in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National

When finding ways to motivate her clients, the Emirati fitness trainer Abeer Amiri has a cunning tool. “I let them have fun,” she says. “Once they find it’s enjoyable, they will do it more and do it better. Also, I show them that if I can do it, why can’t they do it? I am a small girl.”

Outside her full-time job at the Abu Dhabi Education Council, the self-confessed fitness junkie coaches twice a week at Haddins gym in Zayed Sports City.

Born in Abu Dhabi, ­Amiri graduated with a degree in communications from Penn State ­University. A certified CrossFit trainer, she’s also pursuing a one-year ­Fifa-endorsed sports-­management diploma at the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi.

Amiri trains five times a week, heads a running club and recently competed in the Dubai Fitness Challenge, so it’s surprising that she only discovered fitness three years ago. “I came back from the United States four years ago, and started working, but I found the daily routine of only working boring. In the US, you are constantly engaging with different people, walking around and being more social. So about three years ago, I went to TrainYas [at Yas Marina Circuit] with a group of friends. I saw a bunch of people working out at a boot-camp-style class with Haddins. With the huge tyres and big hammers, it looked like such fun. I said: “Let’s give it a shot,’ and I did the next class. It was my first fitness class ever.”

Amiri says that her initial lack of fitness surprised her. “I was very skinny and weak. I would be exhausted going up one flight of stairs, but I thought that was normal.”

In the beginning, friends and family found it hard to understand her interest. “Because I was thin, people would ask me why I was exercising. My training in the gym started improving my daily activities, even with little things like carrying shopping bags. I also became more outgoing, confident, and social; I used to be very reserved. It only took me about three months to become healthier and stronger.”

What’s your favourite book?

The Harry Potter books. I think it's something to do with the idea of fantasy.

What have you learnt from your clients?

One of them gave me a tip: ‘Don’t eat something if it’s white’ – like bread and pasta. I used to love those things, but I try to avoid them because of how they affect my training.

What are your favourite restaurants and recipes?

I like Hakkasan [pictured] and Zuma, but mostly I eat at home. My favourite is Thai chicken in coconut milk.

What’s your favourite TV series?

Game of Thrones.

What’s your favourite workout?

Anything with weights, and recently it has been Olympic lifting.

What’s your Instagram account?

@girlsjustwannaclean – and I don't mean house cleaning, I mean cleaning barbells.

Who motivates you?

My training partners – the people I train with regularly.

What’s your motto in life?

Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.

What’s your favourite piece of fitness equipment?

My barbell and my refillable water bottle. I take the water bottle with me everywhere I go.

What’s your favourite travel destination?

The US. It’s so different everywhere you go, and the people are so nice.

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