5 healthy things to do this weekend: try the new Via Ferrata and zip line in RAK and more

Hike the Via Ferrata in Ras Al Khaimah, which includes ziplines of varying lengths, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Courtesy RAKTDA
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Catch the final weekend of the free Get Driver Fit fitness sessions and get fit in the mean time with several classes. Functional fitness sessions combine cardio and body weight exercises to help you tone up and drop weight fast. Beach circuit sessions include weights and maybe even a dip in the sea, while the yoga sessions will help you deepen your breath, open joints and strengthen muscles. Finally, GDF Benchmarks are weekly weight and cardio races that track the progress of each individual. Attendees can drop in and take part in any of these classes, for free. Today, 7pm to 8pm, Functional Fitness, Haddins Fitness, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi; Tomorrow, 8am to 9am. Beach Circuit, Residents' Beach, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; Tomorrow, 9am to 10am. Yoga, Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi; Saturday, 7pm to 8pm. GDF Benchmarks, Haddins Fitness, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, www.yasalam.ae

Attend the Fitness Expo Dubai 2016 and take part in a variety of health and fitness classes, meet and greets with athletes, competitions, and games that promote healthy living for all ages. Introduce your children to the world of health and fitness with a variety of kid-friendly activities. Learn to make good dietary choices and improve your physical and mental health with personalised coaching and guidance to help you work smart and get fit in record time. Thursday to Saturday, 11am daily, from Dh150 for a weekend pass, Dubai International Marine Club, Dubai, www.ticketmaster.ae

Register to attend Super Mum: Learn How to Boost Your Family's Immune System, a free talk by The Wellness Brothers' Ryan Penny. The talk and Q&A session will focus on learning tricks and tools to keep your family healthy in natural and non-invasive ways this flu season. Discover the basic functions of the immune system, the importance of good nutrition and the benefits that supplements can offer. Monday, 10.30am, The Hundred Wellness Centre Cafe, 53b Street, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, registration essential at 04 344 7333, info@thehundred.ae

Get through the holidays with an exercise plan and eating strategy. Real Pilates suggests early morning workouts to get them out of the way first thing so other obligations don't get in the way. Eat a big salad with plenty of fruits, vegetables and nuts before your holiday dinner to help you feel fuller and not overindulge. Enjoy family excursions, head to the park, play games, and try these at-home Pilates moves, such as swimming preps, side kicks and tricep dips. Classes start from Dh85 and packages are available, Real Pilates, Palm Strip Mall, Jumeirah; One JLT building, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, 04 458 5399, www.real-pilates.com

• Swimming Prep sees you kneeling with hands under shoulders, and knees under hips. Reach one arm forward and the opposite leg back, engaging the abdominals and keeping the spine neutral. Return to the original position and repeat 5-10 times.

• Side Kicks help build core stability and strengthen thighs and glutes. Lie on your side with ribs and hips aligned and bring your legs in front of your body. Rest your head on your bottom arm and raise your top leg to hip level. Keep your torso stable and muscles around your waist tight. Inhale as you flex your foot and swing your leg forward, exhaling as you point your foot and press your leg back. Repeat 8-10 times and switch sides.

• Tricep dips will use your body weight to strengthen your triceps and reduce underarm jiggle. Sit on the floor with knees bent, feet and hands flat on the floor with fingers facing forward. Lift your hips off the floor and slowly bend your elbows directly behind you and as far as comfortable to your lower body, keeping your chest lifted and shoulders down and abs engaged. Push yourself back up by fully straightening your arms and not just lifting your hips. Repeat 12-20 times.

Head to Ras Al Khaimah for the region's first commercial Via Ferrata — Italian for iron path — and UAE's largest outdoor zip line across Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest mountain peak. The course is 470-metres long and has three start- and finish-points, as well as zip lines measuring 50 metres, 60 metres and 300 metres, catering to various ages and fitness abilities. Tours available at 8am and 1pm, Dh400, Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, www.jebeljais.ae