Considering joining a gym in Muscat?

I always think its important to keep yourself physically active, no matter what the activity is, as long as its enjoyable to you and keeps you interested enough to keep coming back. Over the last few months I've worked out at 3 main fitness centers, here's a look at my experience at each of them:

Horizon Ladies Gym - Al Hail

Horizon is one of the oldest gyms in Oman, and has branches popping up all over the place. I got interested when they opened a bright and shiny new ladies gym in my neighborhood and decided to give it a try. The membership process was quite confusing, and they never had any leaflets or signboard that clearly indicated packages and membership inclusions. Instead, you get bombarded with information about membership and classes by the ladies at the front desk, talking to you simultaneously. You can't pay for classes as you go, and have to be a member, I was ambitious and decided to get an annual membership. I then realized that my membership did not include any of the classes, and that would have to be paid for separately. At the time, I was interested in the Engine Room, so I paid separately for that and for a personal trainer. Communication of the payment options and packages could have been better. That aside, my Engine Room personal trainer was great, and really pushed me the right amount that although the class is only 30 minutes it is very high intensity, I always left feeling like I was  pushed to my limit and got the best out of those 30 minutes, she would finish off the class with a quick massage and stretch, which was PERFECT!

Crossfit Tempo

Crossfit, sounds intimidating and that its for hard core heavy lifters, but everyone works at their own pace and fitness level. Crossfit Tempo is located in Al Khoud and is a man's world kind of gym, but you will find a few women who attend the mixed classes too. I tend to go to these classes with my husband. The crowd is a pretty mixed background who don't care how they look and can wear the same ripped t-shirt with holes that keep widening as the weeks pass. What's important is pushing yourself as hard as you can and topping the leaderboards or your previous performance levels. You also get the occasional neighborhood kids walking in to curiously see what's going on - before getting kicked out. Class registration is done through an app "WODIFY", and you can also track your progress by logging in your performance at the end of each workout and can also encourage each other by  "liking" other people's performances. You have the option of paying per class or getting a membership. The moves and WOD (work out of the day) are very clearly broken down and explained. A typical workout would start off with a warm-up, followed by practicing a skill (like lifting techniques), and then a breakdown of the WOD (Workout of the Day). They are usually high intensity workouts with lots of repetitions, that sound impossible to complete, but somehow you do make it through to the end of the class. Crossfit will definitely teach you to count and divide as you try to break down the workout with minimal breaks. The focus of each class on a given day may vary, from gymnastics, to weightlifting, or anaerobic based workouts. They have had a few different trainers that have come and gone since they opened last year, each with a different style.

The Wellness Center

The Wellness Center is one of the newest gyms and is the crème de la crème of Muscat gyms, really elevating the standard of service and professionalism. Its the type of place that is spotlessly clean, has a sauna and Amouage body products in the locker rooms. It the type of place that you want to walk into looking clean cut and pulled together, as the Lululemon wearing crowd definitely likes to check out who's who as you pass by. You have to be a member to attend the classes, and can choose to get a 1 month, 3 month, 6 month or 1 year membership. Registering for classes is done through an app on your phone "Wellness", and the classes are in such high demand that you may try to register a week in advance, and still be put on a waitlist. Their class cancelation policy is quite strict, and if you don't show up or cancel at a minimum of 3 hours before the class, then you risk being blacklisted from classes for the rest of your membership if it happens 3 times. I like the diversity of the classes offered and have been mostly attending the yoga and body pump classes.

I generally prefer classes over independently using gym equipment, all of these centers were enjoyable to me in their own way, it really depends what you're looking for.

Stay fit!