You’ve enjoyed the year end parties… indulged into lots of holiday sweets, but also piled on a few pounds?

If one of your New Year resolutions is to get fit this 2015, now is the time to put it into action.

You can find some of the best deals and discounts for gym memberships and health clubs across the UAE with your credit card. You can also kick-start your fitness program for the new year by running in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on 23 January 2015.

[Related articles: Rewards or cashback: Which credit card is best? | What cashback are you getting from your card? | Big screen movie deals and cinema offers in the UAE]

Credit card offers for fitness

Save while you get into shape by snagging health and fitness related offers or special prices for gym memberships with your credit cards. Here are a few:

Credit Card offer Where Credit Card Details Emirate
Convert your gym spending into installment plans of three, six or 12 months at a 0% interest. You can also get discounts and free membership for a few months with select fitness partners. Gold’s GymFitness FirstFidelity Fitness Club and more. ADCBMashreqEmirates NBD Credit Cards
  • Depending on the gym you choose, be sure to check before you enroll yourself as there might be a minimum purchase amount requirement for this installment offer.
  • To convert the spending to an installment plan, you need to call the bank’s call center and provide details about the transaction amount, date and gym.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah
Get free access to a premium gym. Fitness First Health Club Standard Chartered Infinite Card
  • This includes access to Fitness First Plus, Platinum and community club.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Sharjah, Fujairah
Get discounted rates on membership packages to the gym, swimming pool, steam-sauna, group aerobics or kickboxing and massage treatments. Lifeline Health Club Emirates NBD Credit Cards
  • Example: you get a one year gold membership – single for AED 3,080 instead of AED 4,400 or couple for AED 4,500 instead of AED 6,100.
  • The offer is valid until 31 January 2015.
Abu Dhabi
Eat healthy meals at your work place, at a discount. Health Factory Emirates NBD Platinum and Infinite Credit Cards.
  • 15% off on all full menu packages.
  • 15% off on the AM/PM packages offering two meals and snacks.
  • 8% off on Serenity lunch packages.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm-al-Quwain, Al Ain
Enroll for slimming and fitness programs and pay in an installment program of six months at a 0% interest.  VLCC Standard Chartered Credit Cards
  • Offer available for spending above AED 2,500.
  • To convert the spending to an installment plan, you need to call the bank’s call center and provide details about the transaction amount, date and gym.
  • Not valid on Saadiq Cards
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Sharjah
Dance your way to fitness with 25% off for monthly packages and single sessions. Dance Fit Rakbank Credit Cards
  • Valid until 31 May 2015
Dubai
Convert your gym spending into installment plans of three, six or 12 months at a 0% interest. Target GymEngine Health & Fitness Club  Citibank Credit Cards
  •  Valid until 31 May 2015
Dubai
Get free access to a premium gym. Talise Gym, Emirates Towers Noor Bank Platinum Credit Card Dubai
Get free access to a premium gym. Fairmont Bab Al Bahar Gym Noor Bank Platinum Credit Card Abu Dhabi

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Sharjah

[Compare credit cards in the UAE]

The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2015

Races for the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will start from Umm Suqeim Road opposite the Madinat Jumeirah and finish at the Dubai Police Academy at the end of Umm Suqeim Road. Runners are required to register online to participate in the race.

Options are:

Race Distance Fees Start time Age group
Marathon 42.195 km  $120 (approximately AED 441)  7:00 am 18 yrs and over
Road Race 10 km  $75 (approximately AED 276)  7:15 am 15 yrs and over
Fun Run 4 km  $30 (approximately AED 110)  11:00 am Open to all

All participants will receive official race T-shirts sponsored by Adidas, a finishers medal and downloadable finishers certificate. Top ten winners will walk away with prize money of up to $200,000.

Also, as a part of your resolution to get fit, don’t forget to visit your doctor at regular intervals for periodic health check-ups and screenings.