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#Dubai30x30: Citizens, residents and tourists are encouraged to engage in physical fitness activities Image Credit: Twitter

Dubai: The countdown is on to the October 20 start of the massive Dubai Fitness Challenge — and more and more institutions have pledged to join the event aimed to make Dubai the world's most active city.

Emirates airline became the latest institution to accept the 30-day Dubai Fitness challenge, which calls upon everyone to engage in physical activity for 30 minutes daily for 30 days.

 

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, announced on October 2 the challenge for citizens, residents and visitors to join the month-long event, which includes free workout classes and activities.

 

 

Tracking your every move

Meanwhile, a soon-to-launch app will help participants track their every move and keep them charged. 

 

From October 20 to November 18

The fitness challenge starts on October 20 and runs until November 18.

In the multi-activity, city-wide fitness movement, participants are urged to commit to a minimum of 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days through a wide range of fitness activities, sports or exercises.

Not only is it a great way to stay healthy but could also start a lifestyle change to tackle the twin scourges of modern life — diabetes and obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease.

Experts say that when someone does something every day for three weeks straight, it becomes a habit.
 

How to sign up?

Just give your details on this website. You may join as an individual or as a group, whether private and government organisation. 

Shaikh Hamdan used the hashtag #Dubai30x30 to drum up interest in the event to help make Dubai one of the most physically active cities in the world.

Shaikh Hamdan challenges government and private entities as well as schools to join in.

What are the different ways to get fit?

Quite a lot, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which has announced its participation. In accepting the challenge, KHDA cited three ways of the 900 ideas for getting fit together — chairs will be taken out of the classrooms, exercise classes will be held for parents, going for walks as a family.

Schools and corporations have announced their intention to the join the 30x30 challenge.

Why 30 days?

“For any habit or mindset to change, it requires an intervention of minimum 20 days," said Dr Wafa Ayesh, director of Clinical Nutrition at Dubai Healthcare Authority.  

 

The idea is that if you do a set of physical fitness activity for 30 days, it becomes a habit. Physical fitness becomes a part of you.

 

Stand up and be counted! Let’s make Dubai the most active city in the world. Sign up now (link in bio). #Dubai30x30 Image courtesy of @reebz82

A post shared by Dubai Fitness Challenge (@dubaifitnesschallenge) on

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People making use of the new Jumeirah Corniche Jogging Track. Doctors have welcomed the 30-day challenge saying for any habit to change, it requires an intervention of minimum 20 days. Image Credit: Atiq-ur-Rehman/Gulf News Archives
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