Water-themed workouts are all the rage right now… which tells us that people love any excuse to swap the gym for fitness experiences that won’t bore them into failure. That’s a big reason BogaFit has taken off like it has; it’s a unique workout that literally makes a splash.
Since we’re always in the mood to hit the pool, we met up with FloatUAE instructor Charlotte Smith to try out a high intensity interval training (HIIT) class on the water. Here’s what got us working up a serious sweat…
First off, what’s BogaFit all about?
BogaFit involves an oversized board that floats in the pool — no other equipment is involved. The specially-designed board features a textured surface to help you with grip. Are you going to fall off? Most definitely, but as our instructor reminds us, that’s half the fun. Plus, the thing is tethered so you won’t drift off.
What’s the workout like?
The class lasts about 40 minutes and includes variations of squats, v-situps, jumps, mountain climbers, military push-ups and, ohhhh yes, burpees. What makes it difficult is the constant focus to maintain your stability on the board, which is a lot tougher than it sounds. Just imagine doing a standard push-up, but instead of pushing your body away from the ground, you’re pushing the board into the water.
What’s it good for?
The circuit of exercises you’ll perform target the core, back, legs and arms; you’ll get a better idea of how intense it really is when you wake the next morning. By the end of your session, you’ll have burned around 400 calories — not bad at all!
I’m not very athletic — is BogaFit still right for me?
The short answer is yes. BogaFit can be adapted to any fitness level, so you’ll be performing exercises at your own pace if things get too intense. That said, be aware that the workout will push your balancing skills to the limit. The upside is that you’re only falling in water… which we did many times over.
Any tips before I start?
Give your legs a good stretch and pace yourself! We were unprepared for how much work our stabilizer muscles would be doing. No matter how much time you spend in the gym, the act of balancing on water changes the equation entirely. Keep hydrated throughout (your board comes equipped with a nifty water bottle holder) and keep your focus.
How can we take part?
FloatUAE offers classes at the Intercontinental Dubai Marina. Class timings are as follows:
- Tuesdays at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm
- Thursdays at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and 7pm
- Saturdays at 9am, 10am and 11am
How much does it cost?
Classes cost AED 90 per session, and is also available on The Entertainer App, GuavaPass and Cobone.
insydo verdict
Working out on the water is fun (and challenging) — we think it beats joining a bootcamp any day. BogaFit isn’t something we’d recommend doing daily, but include it in your fitness routine once a week if you want to mix things up. We had a blast!
For more info about BogaFit, visit FloatUAE or get in touch on +971 58 256 4735 or info@floatuae.com.
Dubai, we need your help! Know anyone who deserves a #60SecondSpotlight moment? We have recently covered a talented hip-hop troop, a VFX makeup artist, an awesome magician and more! If you know someone in the city who should be part of this series, let us know! Just follow us on Instagram and tag us on their profile.
