The Bridge Lifestyle Hub, an 8,000-square-metre wellness hub in Abu Dhabi's Al Qana, officially opened its doors to the public on Saturday, after a soft launch phase that began in early December.
Scroll through the photo gallery above to see more of the hub.
Jordanian-Canadian co-founder Khalid Nahhas describes it as being "more than just a gym", as he wants to inspire people living in the capital to embrace a new approach to life while switching out bad habits.
“By focusing on the needed shift in lifestyle, we tap into many natural sources of blissful living," he says. "The Bridge Lifestyle Hub will help strengthen well-being and help communities become vibrant.
"We are more than just a gym, we believe in transforming people’s lives through a holistic approach to wellness, fundamentally changing the way ‘health’ is understood. This philosophy aims to help others in a nurturing and soul-enriching environment that is custom-made for each of our members."
He says the programmes are designed through the use of evidence-based science. “There is intention and purpose in everything we do as we make positive connections and build on our community."
And it's not only for the health-conscious, as The Bridge takes a holistic approach to wellness, says Nahhas.
“If you're an art lover, you're going to enjoy this place. If you're a foodie, you're going to enjoy this place. If you're a nature lover, you're going to enjoy this place. But guess what? They're all important for your wellness," he told The National after a preview of the space.
What's inside The Bridge Lifestyle Hub?
The Bridge is broken down into seven specialised areas: Move, Pause, Taste, Choose, Seek, Expand, and Learn. Each track focuses on a different element of wellness and the idea is that if you connect them all, a person can become more balanced.
“We want to form a crossing point, a pathway and a connection for members between who they are now and who they want to become, bridging into a community of loyal members who look forward to always coming back. We are on the journey with them and we speak to them as friends, not numbers in our system. We love what we do and that excitement, gratitude and energy is expressed in how we communicate with everyone who comes to our door.”
The hub has been five years in the making, with a 200-strong team behind it. Membership rates cost Dh1,500 per month or Dh15,300 per year, with an Dh1,000 joining fee.
It is located in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi's up-and-coming waterfront destination where the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi also recently opened its doors.
More information is at thebridgehub.com
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people
The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
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)
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
