Dubai: Running in a hijab, her advertisements for an internationally recognised sports brand urge Emirati women to focus on their health and fitness. Shot at the end of January 2017, the ads featuring Amna Al Merri, 24, a bioengineer by training, a certified gym trainer and weightlifting instructor, have captured the imagination of the millennial Arab women. Al Merri, who works for the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). is also the founding member of a women-only running club in Dubai where free training is provided to women of all nationalities.
The eldest of eight siblings, Al Merri, who has been working with DHA from the age of 21, started training from the age of 19 at the local gym, departing from the norm. “No one in my family was into active physical fitness. My dad was a little physically active but my mother had given up on physical fitness after she had children. But I would train with three other friends — Abeer Al Khaja, Salha Al Basti and Mariam Al Mazroui — and we thought of doing something to teach fitness skills to others,” she told Gulf News.
Al Merri loved her physical routine as it boosted her self-esteem and energy levels and she decided, along with three other gym friends, to start Anagow.
“Anagow means ‘I am strong’ in Arabic and we four friends are passionate about fitness. We wanted to inspire more Emirati women to come to our women- only outdoor running club, on the jogging tracks of the Dubai Ladies Club. We train with different running programmes, timing each member so that they can one day participate in the marathon. We use body weight to do weight-bearing exercises and many of our members are now participating in marathons,” said Al Merri. Anagow has 50 members and is growing.
Her large following on social media led Nike to approach her to feature in its ad films. “I had been running the women’s marathon representing Nike for the last two years. When I got a call from them, I was overjoyed. Ever since I posted my photographs on social media, Instagram and twitter, my following doubled overnight.”
All the four girls are trained and possess different certifications. Al Merri is a strength coach level 1 and a gym instructor level 2, while Al Khaja is a cross fit coach and strength coach level 1. Al Basti is a level 2 gym instructor and Al Mazroui a mobility instructor and level 2 gym instructor.
Every morning, before leaving for office, Al Merri completes her fitness routine, with a sharp eye on eating a healthy and nutritional meal. She desists from giving in to food temptations young girls her age normally have. “I usually carry home-cooked wholesome meals to work and if I miss doing that, then I order delivery from a health food restaurant. I avoid junk food at all costs,” said Al Merri.
She intends to remain focused on maintaining her work-life balance and also encouraging other women to stay active. “I would like to tell all other women, ‘Make time for yourself, love your body, do everything you do with passion. If you do not like a sport, try another one. If you don’t like one healthy meal, do not give up, try another cuisine. Always maintain a balance in life and always seek to learn’.”
Anagow members meet on Tuesday usually after work around 5.30pm for a free running practice. “Women can send their email to anagowrunning@gmail.com or on my Instagram @anagowrunning to enrol as members. We do change the timings sometimes as most women are working but we give notice,” said Al Merri who is training many potential athletes for the 2018 Dubai Marathon.
