Dubai Fitness Challenge looks to encourage increase in activity

Aiming to encourage Dubai residents to accommodate 30 minutes of exercise into their daily routine, the month-long Dubai Fitness Challenge has launched five themed fitness villages for the duration of the city-wide event, offering an array of free activities for all ages, abilities and levels of fitness.

Running until 22nd November, the ‘fitness villages’ operate daily with a wide spectrum of activities, specialised zones, professional trainers and facilities, geared towards effectively transforming the city into a free gym for all and taking Dubai a step closer to becoming the most active city in the world.

Being held for the second year, the event was initiated by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and, with the backing of the Dubai Government and Dubai Sports Council, the inaugural event nearly one million participants – 90% of whom managed to engage in at least half an hour of exercise daily. The total number of people (786,000) who registered for the challenge also far exceeded the organisers initial target of 100,000.

The DIFC Fitness Village 
It features more than 300 free fitness classes on the main stage including Mat Pilates, Reebok’s Pure Move hosted by the Aviation Club, Hip Hop Cardio, HIIT with Reform Athletica and Round 10’s specialist boxercise workouts.

Corporates and businesses in the area are encouraged to support employees and their families to take time during the week to make the most of the latest equipment from Technogym and receive expert guidance in skill line circuits and skill bikes, with Warehouse Gym offering their manpower as the training providers.

Budding golfers are invited to practise their swings and putts on the latest golf simulator with a helping hand from professionals at Dubai’s many golf clubs. One of the world’s fastest growing sports, Paddle Tennis, is also in action under the iconic Gate Building

DMCC Park Fitness Village
Offers more than 400 free fitness classes on the main stage including Fitness First’s Body Combat, Body Attack and Zumba, Speedflex Bootcamp, Karma and Meditation Yoga, while early birds can join 7am Artistic Yoga sessions every weekday. Team sports are a major feature of this Fitness Village with specially created pitches for basketball, football, netball and volleyball and regular tournaments throughout the challenge. 

Families can get in on some high tempo fitness action at the Just Play Adrenaline Village, which features an adult and children Ninja warrior assault course, climbing and bouldering walls, gymnastics and acrobatics workshops, sports academies training and specialist parkour training.  
 
Kite Beach Fitness Village 
Over 400 free fitness classes are available at the beach, including sunrise yoga classes at 7am and daily DFC Aqua Classes for those who prefer a more marine-themed work out. Tournaments and pitches for beach volleyball, cricket and soccer are accompanied by a water sports zone featuring kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding, among other nautical activities.

In addition, the 2km National Obstacle Course on the shores of the Arabian Gulf presents 12 obstacles including the swinging pendulum, hurdles, crawl and rope climbs offering a fitness challenge that anyone over five years of age is invited to tackle. For the ultimate adrenaline rush, participants can also tackle the XDubai swing shot.

Palm Jumeirah Fitness Village 
The Palm Jumeirah village has running clubs gathering at the venue to train alongside participants enjoying more than 300 free fitness classes hosted on the main stage including LeFit workouts for pregnant ladies by Anatomy Rehab, Hip Hop Cardio, Reebok Fusion from the Aviation Club and the city’s legendary Barry’s Boot Camp. 

Fitness enthusiasts and first timers can also experience the Palm Jumeirah Virtual Fitness Trail, a 12-station fitness workout conducted by virtual fitness instructors including expert tutelage to perform plant jacks, split lunges, burpees, star jumps and hanging leg raises.

Al Khawaneej Walk Fitness Village 
This villlage celebrates the benefits of pedalling your way to health. Cycle clubs have been formed at the fitness village for everyone, including teens, families, over-60s and people of determination. Adult and children’s bikes are available at no charge and there is a dedicated pavilion for ladies.

Master trainers are helping participants get a handle on the Technogym bikes and other gym conditioning equipment installed, and with the park lit at night, riders are able to enjoy Glow Cycle Rides; a cool, nocturnal, pedal-powered excursion with everyone encouraged to dress their bikes with illuminous lights.

All five fitness villages feature Mediclinic health advice area for wellness checks including free testing for BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose levels.

The Dubai Fitness App is available for participants to officially sign-up at the Apple and Google Play app stores, and track their 30x30 journey, discover fitness events, classes and activities, as well as encouraging friends and family by social sharing functionality. 

Further details are available on the official DFC website www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com.