The start of cooler weather in the UAE means it’s time to dust off those trainers and head outside, because the Dubai Fitness Challenge is just around the corner.
There’s a comprehensive calendar of events and activities happening all throughout the city to help you stick to your goals. Here’s a sample of what was available at Dubai Fitness Challenge 2021:
Dubai Ride and Dubai Run:
Dubai Ride, one of the most popular events in the Dubai Fitness Challenge, took place on Friday, November 5, allowing cyclists the opportunity to enjoy the city’s best routes on two wheels. Participants could pick between a 14-kilometer general route around Sheikh Zayed Road or a 4-kilometer fun ride with family and friends around Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, which was sponsored by DP World. The race was free to enter, but you had to register at dubairide.com.
On Friday, November 26, the Dubai Run returned, with runners of all ages and abilities encouraged to take to Sheikh Zayed Road. A 5km route for families was available, as well as a 10km route for athletes, both of which will began near Emirates Towers Metro Station.
Three DFC Fitness Villages:
DFC’s Fitness Villages, which are the outdoor places with a variety of sports and fitness activities at each location, returned last year. These communities were open for 30 days and appealed to people of all ages and fitness levels. The Mai Dubai Fitness Village at Mushrif Park included six zones to assist people in achieving their fitness goals, including pools, a multipurpose gym with trainers, and a Kids Zone with an obstacle course. It was open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Wednesdays, and from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.
The coastal activity centre dedicated to DFC was located at the DP World Fitness Village at Kite Beach and was offered a variety of free health and fitness activities on a regular basis (Sunday to Thursday, 2pm to 11pm, and Friday and Saturday, 7am to 11pm). Last year, there were 15 sports zones where guests participated in activities such as HIIT training, yoga, cycling, and water sports. A ladies-only zone, a Fun Spot Kids Zone, and an Etisalat main stage space for live classes and sessions were also available in the village. Anyone enrolled with DFC could book a session at the Padel Tennis Arena last year, which has a court with classes and training sessions for players of all abilities. The new Suspension Yoga zone was perfect for yoga enthusiasts.
Expo 2020 x Dubai Fitness Challenge:
With a wide range of activities and a large expanse, Expo 2020 Dubai is prepared to fulfil every athlete’s desire. On all 182 days of the world fair, runners laced up and trained at the Expo Running Club, which offers 30-minute lessons for all levels of experience.
In a 5,400-square-meter space, Expo 2020’s Dubai Fitness Village included sports, fitness, and well-being activities meant to promote physical activity. A gym, a five-a-side football pitch, a multipurpose court for basketball, netball, volleyball, and tennis, and a stage with daily classes are all located next to Mobility Gate. Throughout Expo 2020, participating countries were offered a slew of events in the Fitness Village, including the appearance of the Harlem Globetrotters.
DFC Fitness Hubs:
DFC’s free Fitness Hubs were positioned across the city, in both residential and commercial areas, and provided people with the opportunity to get moving with the guidance of trained fitness instructors. Zabeel Ladies Club, Hatta, Uform at D3, One Central, Dubai Media City, DIFC, Dubai Police Officers’ Club, DMCC, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai Studio City, La Mer, Champs Sports & Fitness Club, Dubai Digital Park, and Dubai Sports City are among the 14 hubs that were open last year. Each were feature a unique blend of sports and fitness classes, such as bodyweight training, cycling, high-intensity interval training, and Zumba.
Dubai Padel Cup:
Padel has made a name for itself in the UAE during the last year. So it’s only right that the inaugural Dubai Padel Cup would be held at the fifth DFC. This new DFC tournament featured three days of demonstration matches at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, featuring some of the world’s top-ranked pros, as well as a dedicated amateur competition for players of varying abilities. The padel craze will continue with citywide activations to help you hone peoples abilities at various sites across Dubai.
Free fitness events:
A number of establishments throughout Dubai were also offering free sessions to get the blood flowing, From October 29th till November 26th, the Theatre of Digital Art were conducting free yoga sessions every Friday from 10am to 11am. Participants were led through a low-impact, easy-on-the-joints workout by a licensed hatha-vinyasa yoga coach. Meanwhile, Festival Plaza were conducting free Zumba sessions in the mall from this Friday through Saturday, November 27, at 7.30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends.
