If you’re not able to get to the gym, it doesn’t mean your well-maintained physique and healthy habits have to fall by the wayside. After all, regular physical exercise actively contributes to the maintenance of a strong, healthy immune system – not to mention a positive attitude – and that’s something everyone could do with right now.
In fact, many of the UAE’s fitness centres and gyms have found innovative ways to stay close to the city’s residents (digitally, of course). We’ve rounded up a number of top gyms in Dubai and Abu Dhabi that are going the extra mile to help you keep your step count, your heart rate and your calorie burn going during these quieter times.
Best Body Co.
Local fitness coaching start-up Best Body Co. is running a completely free, ten-day programme to help you keep in shape. Every workout is designed to be doable without the need for weights or specialist equipment, and so you can do it at home, easily (well, sort of). You can download the plan, for free, and videos will appear on their Instagram feed to help show you how to do it if you’re a bit new to things. Don’t forget to take a couple of days off per week to let your body recover.
Visit Instagram.com/bestbodyco
Crank
The stylish spinning and fitness studio has already started streaming studio sessions via its Instagram page. Regular “Shape” and “Stretch” classes will get you moving quickly and working those muscles – the best part is that you’ll hardly need any equipment. The worst part is the finisher, wait for it…
Visit Instagram.com/crank.dubai
F45
While classes in-branch at the Aussie-born brand are temporarily haulted, the Dubai Motor City branch has taken to social media to bring you regular workouts that will help you keep those endorphins high and the muscles sore. Basic routines involving bodyweight exercises, like air squats, push ups, sit ups and burpees, will mix up on a regular, if not daily, basis. You’ll get video guides from coach John Britton and others to help sure you keep in shape.
Visit Instagram.com/f45_training_dubaimotorcity for more.
NRG Fitness
This boutique Dubai Marina-based gym has gone live on a daily home workout challenge that you can take for free via its Instagram page. Tune in every day for videos and posts showing you what your WOD (Workout of the Day) is going to be, and there could be prizes if you engage. You can also rent weights and other gear for Dhs150 per week, no deposit.
Visit Instagram.com/nrgfitnessdubai for more.
Fitness First
With all of its UAE branches closed for the time being, this major global brand is putting in an extra shift to help bring you regular workouts you can do either at home or in easily-accessible places. Head to @FitnessFirstME on Instagram for workout ideas and video guides. Videos include stairs, quads and glutes workouts so you can keep lean.
Visit Instagram.com/fitnessfirstme for more.
Real Boxing Gym
This full-on boxing gym in Dubai’s Al Quoz is helping its members keep fit at home by offering a bunch of quick workout tips on its social channels. Grab a pair of dumbells (or, failing that, a big tin of beans?) and get shadowboxing to help keep that lethargy at bay while you’re in your sitting room or garden.
Visit Instagram.com/realboxingonly for more.
The Platform Studios
The boutique studio found in DIFC and Dubai Marina may not be welcoming guests at the moment, but its online account has already started uploading full, 30-minute-or-more workouts to keep you feeling lean. If you quite literally want to take the gym home with you, you can even rent professional gear from The Platform for a two-week window. Dhs2,000 (and a Dhs1,000 deposit) will secure you weights, the professional spinning bikes, access to dedicated Spotify playlists, delivery and all that jazz so you can get some real full-on sessions in there.
Visit Instagram.com/theplatformdubai for more.
Underdog Boxing
Another boxing gym in Dubai, and this one is going the extra mile with a schedule of live-streaming training sessions. #Hustleathome has a weekly schedule with up to two classes a day including dance-fitness, HIIT training, yoga, core and shadowboxing workouts. You don’t need anything other than a space at home and an internet connection. Classes are about 30-40 minutes long, they’re completely free and will be made available for 24 hours after the class via Instagram Stories.
Visit Instagram.com/Underdogboxn for more.
Vogue Fitness
This hardcore gym (it’s not for the faint-hearted, really) with branches across the country, is popping up with daily workout advice to be done at home or in your home gym if your building has one. Try doing a 1km run, 45 burpees and squat jumps, then doing another 1km run and see how you feel…
Visit Instagram.com/Voguefitness.jlt for more.
For more sport and wellbeing in Dubai click here. For Abu Dhabi, click here.
