Two bankers, one pilot and a law student are the Emirati owners of behind Abu Dhabi’s first CrossFit gym, Code CrossFit. We speak to Mohammed Al Tamimi, a 30-year-old Etihad pilot and a CrossFit Level 1 trainer, about the hard-core venture.
How and when did you get involved in CrossFit?
I got involved and started CrossFit three years ago. I used to read about it, but I’m proud to say that the person behind introducing me to it is Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum – we met in 2002 when I was training with Gulf Air. From that time onwards, he has always been supporting and motivating me, not only to be fitter but also to be knowledgable about fitness and CrossFit in particular.
Why open a CrossFit gym in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi is the capital of UAE and it’s a shame not to see a CrossFit box open or people knowing about it there. Additionally, since I work in Abu Dhabi, I thought it will be more convenient if I open in the city since I usually had to drive all the way to Dubai to do my workouts. In the meantime, my friends and co-founders, Marwan Nabil Abdul Ghafar (27, manager of corporate banking at HSBC), Mansoor Nabil Abdul Ghafar (25, assistant manager of business banking at HSBC) and Mohammed Khalid Abdul Ghafar (24, student at Duke University law school) – who, by the way, are all holders of CF-Level 1 certificates and have been CrossFit enthusiasts for more than two years – were thinking of opening their own box in Dubai, so after discussing opening in Abu Dhabi with them, we agreed on opening it here because there is higher potential to spread and influence others.
What kinds of people does CrossFit attract?
CrossFit is for everyone: old, young, kids, fat and thin. As CrossFit always says, exercise is varied by degree not by kind. For example, you could be old and squat without weights, or do dead lifts (like picking up a bag from the ground). Additionally, CrossFit is a mixture of functional (natural and useful) movements, which you do daily using body weight or extra weights. And overall it’s fun in the end.
Why is there a large, horned vomiting creature on the wall?
Mr Pukie is a CrossFit symbol in every box, and basically if you do CrossFit for the first time, most likely you’ll meet him. It’s a fun character, which I think you try to avoid by getting fitter and working hard.
• Code CrossFit is located in Danat Tower B, behind the Holiday Inn near 31st Street and Muroor Road. The gym offers mixed and ladies-only classes daily from 6am to 9pm, from Sunday to Thursday, with two classes on Saturday. The first class is free, with prices of Dh120 for a walk-in and packages starting at Dh850 for eight sessions. Call 050 297 5222 or email codemcrossfit@gmail.com for more information
amcqueen@thenational.ae
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Release Date: April 10
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Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 390bhp
Torque: 400Nm
Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Champions parade (UAE timings)
7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends