Dubai: The Dubai Fitness Challenge is a good motivation for people who want to get fit because the competition is not between two people but with oneself, officials from the Dubai Sports Council said.
The council on Wednesday welcomed the fitness challenge (DFC) launched by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, and Chairman of both the Dubai Executive Council and Dubai Sports Council, to make Dubai one of the most active cities in the world.
The council supports the citywide fitness initiative as a way to effect positive change and highlight Dubai’s year-round sports facilities, clubs and events.
Saeed Hareb, general secretary of the Dubai Sports Council, said the fitness challenge helps achieve the lofty goals of Dubai as a city of sport, happiness, physical activity and positive energy.
“The important thing is that a challenge is not necessarily a competition between two people — you could set a challenge for yourself alone, which, in this case, would be to start exercising daily and take the route to a healthy lifestyle. Adopting a healthy lifestyle gives you the strength and vitality to meet all the challenges that life brings,” Hareb said.
The DFC has been created to motivate Dubai’s citizens, residents and visitors to boost their physical activity and commit to 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days. The challenge encompasses all forms of activity — from walking, team sports, paddle-boarding and yoga, to cycling, football, beach cricket, Zumba and everything in between. To take part, participants simply have to register and then track their performance on the DFC app.
The fitness challenge is an addition to Dubai’s packed calendar of sports and fitness activities throughout the year. Some of the calendar highlight events are also taking place during the DFC such as The Colour Run, Dubai Women’s Triathlon, Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge, Fitness Expo Dubai, and Saucony Time Trial Run and several others are organised throughout the year.
Meanwhile, get ready to get wet on the second Weekend Fitness Carnival of the Dubai Fitness Challenge as the activities will include beach and water sports at Kite Beach.
From paddle boarding, kite surfing and kayaking to beach cricket, ultimate Frisbee and beach boot camp, residents and tourists will have a lot to choose from to get fit and continue the monthlong challenge.
Award-winning fitness instructor, entrepreneur and online personality Cassey Ho will be flying in from Los Angeles especially for Dubai residents. The creator of Blogilates, Cassey is the owner of the number one female fitness channel on YouTube with over 3.9 million subscribers and 500 million video views. She will be leading the festivities with her unique POP Pilates class that was launched on YouTube and is now taught in gyms all over the world.
On Saturday, novices to advanced swimmers will get to safely enjoy a more adventurous swim with experienced kayakers by the side for the Dubai City Swim. Those who can’t swim with the participants may cheer them on the action from the beach.
Kite Beach Weekend Carnival
When: October 27, Friday, 1pm-9pm
October 28, Saturday 1pm-7pm
Admission: Free (including park entry)
Level: All levels
Location: Kite Beach
Friday’s highlights
1.15pm: Let’s Move with Maz Hakim
1.45pm: Les Mills SH’BAM workout
2.30pm: Football Freestylers show
2.45pm: Animal Flow with Parveez Saligh
3.30pm: Beginners Hatha Yoga
4.10pm: Rhythmic gymnastics display
4.40pm: Cassey Ho performance
5.25pm: Football Freestylers show
5.50pm: CXWorx Les Mills Core Training
6.20pm: Let’s Move with Malavika Varadan
6.50pm: Flywheel Barre Session
7.30pm: ZUU Class
8.15pm: METAFIT (HIIT) Class
8.45pm: Finale challenge competition and prize ceremony
