Dubai: Wellbeing centres and gymnasiums in Dubai have reported an increase in the number of residents signing up for detox and weight-loss programmes. Health and fitness experts peg the increase at between 20-30 per cent in January compared to the rest of the year.
Worldwide, record numbers of people flock to such facilities in January to deal with the post-holiday bulge and honour their New Year resolution to get fitter and healthier.
In this, Dubai’s increased interest is reflective of the global trend. Gym memberships have shot up.
Steve Cronin, expert in fitness and wellness equipment and founder of Om Life, Dubai told Gulf News: “Compared to the rest of the year, January sees a 20-30 per cent increase in memberships driven by holiday indulgences and New Year resolutions. The memberships tend to tail off after January due to lack of motivation.”
According to Phil Robson, fitness expert and recreation manager at Towers Rotana, Dubai, yearly memberships are up by 15-20 per cent, monthly up to 40 per cent, and quarterly up by 25-30 per cent. He said: “We see a sharp drop in memberships after the first quarter. Residents should set realistic goals and work out a time line when joining a gym.”
Fitness First expects a 15 per cent increase in new memberships in January compared to the rest of the year.
Explaining the reason behind the increase, Mark Botha, group operations and marketing manager at Fitness First, said the New Year acts as a new chapter and a chance to set goals. “Commonly, many people set goals to get fitter, lose weight and have a healthier lifestyle. Almost 60 per cent of our new members are new to exercise,” he said.
Laurence Arca Bathe, director of Urban Energy Fitness, said that the demand for personal training goes up too. “The usual request during most months is one to two one-on-one trainings, in January it is four to five.”
Signups have climbed at holistic centres as well.
At wellbeing centres, the most popular treatments are detox for weight loss. At holistic centres like the Dubai-based Balance Wellness Centre, which specialises in Ayurveda, yoga and organic therapy, an increase of 20 per cent in January is expected.
Lily Mueller, therapist at Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre, told Gulf News: “The month of January is definitely the month to detoxify the body. To get healthy, people book themselves for a nutritional consultation and often colon hydrotherapy treatment to ease constipation, gas and bloating.”
New gym member Randolph Baretto told Gulf News that he is adamant to lose his holiday weight. “I have joined the gym for the fourth time in 18 months. I hope to continue this time.”
