Dubai: What better way to spend your weekend than to go outdoors, do yoga or run an obstacle course, climb a wall, play football, join fitness classes and more – all free of charge?
The Dubai Fitness Challenge Opening Carnival Weekend promises this and more at Dubai Festival City on Friday and Saturday (October 26 and 27).
The opening weekend features action-packed events and activities taking place across the destination, providing residents and visitors with an engaging and exhilarating experience.
The month-long challenge is the flagship fitness initiative by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. It urges people from all walks of life to commit to a minimum of 30 consecutive minutes of daily activity for 30 days. Organisers aim to hit one million registered participants. The ultimate goal is take Dubai a step closer to becoming the most active city in the world.
In order to do this, organisers revamped the DFC smart app this year that gives residents and tourists access to more than 4,000 free classes and fitness activities with just a touch of a finger, it was announced on Monday.
Participants can register and use the app to monitor their daily activity, sync to their fitness trackers, find free city-wide classes, create and join social fitness groups and be a fitness companion for life.
Ahmad Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai Tourism said, they newly-launched app will reflect what participants will achieve during this year’s challenge and beyond.
“This year, we decided to take the app a step further and create one that lives beyond the festival. The 2018 Dubai Fitness App is hence fully redesigned to not just be the digital heartbeat of DFC but to bring a full range of easy and convenient features that allows users to continue their fitness journey after the 30 days,” Al Khaja said.
“Of course as the first step, we encourage Dubai residents to download the app and register to take the challenge, commit to 30 minutes for 30 days and use this as your companion to meet and exceed that target of one million participants this year,” he added.
The fitness activities continue from Festival Bay all along the scenic promenade up to Marsa Plaza with adrenaline-filled Dragon Boat competitions while there are also kayaks available for water-sport enthusiasts for fun and fitness activity on the water.
To celebrate the Opening Carnival weekend, Dubai Festival City Mall will also have a stunning firework display and a special IMAGINE show at Festival Bay.
In keeping with the fitness theme, there are also various F&B areas that will serve a range of healthy juices and sandwiches.
Samer Zabian, director – Residential and Commercial Property at Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate, said that as a community, Dubai Festival City is always encouraging communities and visitors to embrace a healthy way of life; hence they are proud to host the opening weekend of the fitness challenge.
Steven Cleaver, director, Shopping Centers Dubai, Al-Futtaim Malls, said Dubai Festival City has prepared a fully-fledged carnival that has something for everyone, including a dedicated children’s fitness area, indoor zones, helipad zones, a health and wellbeing zone, a ladies-only gym and the 30X30 challenge.
Dubai Fitness Challenge Opening Carnival Weekend
When: October 26, 3pm and October 27, 1pm
Where: Dubai Festival City
Admission: Free but participants who want to gain free access to the fitness events need to download the free DFC app and register.
What’s on?
- Yoga, obstacle course, climbing wall, foot table tennis, FIFA World Cup activation, tread wall, target football, cross bar challenge, dance, Zumba classes, Brazilian jiu jitsu, Muai Thai, boxing and MMA sessions
- Exclusive for ladies: power yoga, crossFit, kickboxing and more
- For children: climbing cones, Rodeo bull, trampoline, snookball, kids boot camp sessions and toddler play areas
- Indoor activities: Techno rowing centre and immersive trip by Les Mills that combines high-energy multi-peak cycling workout
