Month-long fitness challenge kicks off in Dubai

Fitness Villages at Kite Beach and Festival City Mall gave residents a chance to sweat it out and flex their muscles with the whole family as the emirate transforms into the world’s only “city gym” that will run until November 16.

Launched in 2017 by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, the Dubai Fitness Challenge encourages residents and tourists alike to devote 30 minutes each day to do any form of exercise for 30 days.

The aim is to make exercise an everyday part of their lives.

Drenched in sweat after a spinning class with the beach in the background are siblings Arif and Tahira Baig from Pakistan.

The duo completed the whole 30-minute class with ease as both are into cycling already, although this is their first time to be in a spinning class.

“In Dubai, we do most of our activities indoors with AC. Here this is natural environment. The weather is also getting better by the beach,” Arif said as he sipped water after the class.

“This was challenging because I’m wearing slippers. If I had worn my shoes, it would have been easier.”

Arif said he tries to cycle every day and if he gets busy, he would give up something to trade that time with exercise.

“That would be sitting in a room and surfing the internet. My job is stressful so I need to be active after office hours,” he explained.

Tahira, a chef in Dubai, said: “I’m a cyclist so it’s easy for me. Though I am busy, we make time for our health by doing healthy activities. I don’t compromise. Exercise is already part of my routine.”

Ryan Harvey, from the UK, who also participated in the Friday activities, said he now exercises four times a week despite his busy schedule.

“Thirty minutes a day exercising is achievable. Of course we have other commitments, work, family. But in my case, I prioritise,” the Dubai resident who works in IT, told Gulf News.

“If anyone is finding it hard to allot 30 minutes for exercise, they can give up watching TV. They can fit 30 minutes of exercise in their day. They can go on a treadmill for 30 minutes and watch their favourite show on their phone,” he suggested.

For Elisha Nijhawan, an Indian events manager, exercise has become a regular part of her life as she has been participating in the DFC since it began in 2017.

“It gives you the motivation to keep going and helps develop self-discipline. They offer free workouts already. Why would you go and pay when you can take advantage of these free offers here,” she said.

Though she’s busy, she said she’s able to make time for exercise by doing one thing.

“That is true, everybody is busy because everybody is working. But for me, I leave work on time. That’s my secret.”

Emirati teen Zayed Al Nuaimi, 15, exercises one hour every day and is fond of doing backflips. While walking along Kite Beach on Friday, he heard the music at the DFC site and joined in despite wearing a kandoura.

“This initiative is really nice. It’s free and is open to everybody,” he said after participating in a workout.

More than 40 fitness events and more than 5,000 fitness and health programmes are in store for residents throughout the city for 30 days.

Where to go

Kite Beach Fitness Village 

Festival City Mall Fitness Village 

Fitness hubs