The UAE summer can be a tough time of year to stay active, but HM Fitness Centre in Dubai is offering fitness goers the chance to escape the fierce temperatures.
Established in April 2013, HM Fitness started out as more of a bodybuilding facility but since December has grown into the premium Mixed Martial Arts centre in the UAE.
The high-profile MMA figures that have held clinics and seminars is testament to their status, with the likes of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Royce Gracie and heavyweight superstar Fedor Emelianenko both hosting sessions.
Co-owner Tam Khan recently took Sport360° on a tour of HM Fitness and while it’s already an impressive facility, he revealed there is even more to come.
“We’ve got about 2,000 square feet of training mats for Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA,” he explained. “We have an MMA octagon which is great for more professional athletes to get a feel of competition training.
“It’s a really good vibe here and we cater for everything, which is something we’ve been trying to achieve for a while now.
“Once it’s completed it will be even better. We’ll have a running track outside, a mezzanine floor upstairs and a boxing ring. Then we’ll have a facility at a truly world class level.”
Indeed, HM Fitness Centre caters not only for a variety of fitness needs, but towards people of all ages. When we began the tour, there was a group boxing session of a dozen boys aged between 12 and 15, but by the time we left, a Muay Thai clinic was in full swing for adults.
Watch Sport360°'s video tour of HM Fitness Centre Dubai
The popularity of the combat classes is as much down to the coaches as the top-notch facilities on offer.
Khan is a former professional MMA fighter, Muay Thai specialist Jason Woodham contested 85 professional fights, while the boxing trainer was the coach of the Cameroon Olympic team in 2012.
“We have coaches from all over the world; Cameroon, America, England and we’re all the best at what we do,” Woodham says.
“I had 85 professional fights, lived in Thailand for three years and fought all over the world in the strangest countries you can think of.
“I was training from the age of 15-years-old and now I’m in Dubai. It’s good here; we’re all one big family.”
While MMA and combat takes centre-stage at HM Fitness, there is a functional workout area with top-of-the-range strength and conditioning equipment, which is ideal for CrossFit and those who want to body-build.
Personal trainer Jason Branford is the man you’ll want to work with if this is the section of the gym you’re most interested in.
“I’ve been training for 20 years and I’m now here at HM Fitness,” Branford says.
“I help all the local and expat athletes that come here and want to get a little stronger and do some real functional training.
“I love the gym,” he adds. “It’s got a real clean atmosphere and has a great vibe at night. Everybody is in here having a great time and there’s no better place to be.”
Fitness is of course the primary reason to head to HM Fitness, but the on-site spa facilities will give you the added motivation to go that bit faster or push a little bit harder.
Moroccan baths, a hot-tub Jacuzzi and masseurs to help sooth those muscles will ensure you leave HM Fitness at the end of a tough workout feeling relaxed and revitalised.
If any ladies would rather work-out in a more private setting, there is a dedicated section reserved as well as a separate spa and a nail and hair salon.
If you’re looking for a place that can offer you top-class training taught by experienced coaches in a fun and genuine setting, look no further than HM Fitness.
“You can’t get prettier looking coaches than us!” Tam jokes. “We’ve all got the quality and the experience. What we sell is real; real fighters, real training so join now!”
Watch the full tour of HM Fitness Centre at www.sport360.com
What: Mixed Martial Arts training at HM Fitness Centre
When: Open every day from 6am-12am
Where: Inside Dubai Bowling Centre, Meydan Road, Al Quoz
Contact & information: 04 338 0000; www.hmfitnesscentre.com
