Whether you’re the kind of person who likes to break a sweat on the regular, or you prefer some deep stretching to ease yourself into the day, there’s no denying that the UAE is a country full to the brim with innovative exercise sessions designed to help us reach our physical — and most importantly, mental — goals. The best bit? From Amsterdam-imported mindfulness movements to Jennifer Aniston’s favourite new workout, we’re seeing a huge influx of new classes hitting the scene of late, set to make AW23 our fittest season yet.
The Fitness Revolution: Padel
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ll most likely have heard of an addictive racket sport that’s taking the region by storm. In fact, Padel has become so popular that The Padel Collective, a Dubai-based community of over 500 who get together weekly to play social matches and mini tournaments, sees its membership grow weekly.
Get Online: Pvolve
Be it intermittent fasting, Pilates or the 15-15-15 method (15 minutes of spin, elliptical workouts and running), when Jennifer Aniston recommends a wellness routine, we pay attention. It’s no surprise then that we’re currently hooked on her latest obsession Pvolve, which sits at the intersection between low-impact exercise, functional fitness and resistance training to offer intense sculpting. Offering six different exercise classes including Strength & Sculpt, Cardio Burn and Recover & Stretch, you’ll use between three to 13 pieces of equipment to lift, tone and strengthen for a full-body workout.
The Quick Fix: InfraslimX
If you’d rather walk on hot coals than pound the treadmill, InfraslimX might just be for you. Infusing infrared, vacuum, oxygen, ozone, collagen and aromatherapy designed to burn fat, reduce cellulite, tighten the skin, build muscle, detoxify the body and lymphatic system all in one machine, it takes all the benefits of cycling to the next level.
The Strong Woman’s Workout: Bia Warrior Obstacle Training
If the combination of parkour, calisthenics and ninja training with some strength and conditioning thrown in for good measure sounds right up your street, you need to check out Bia Warrior. Founded by Dubai residents Domia Economides and Samia Kallidis, with the purpose of building an inclusive community of strong women, you will do everything from climb walls to brave the monkey bars during the one-hour class at Gravity Calisthenics Gym, as you learn how to move under, over and around any obstacle that might be thrown in your way.
The Workout With A View: Boss x Aura Skypool
To mark the reopening of the BOSS store at the Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue, BOSS and AURA Skypool Lounge have come together to offer a three-month fitness and wellness experience. Aura, the world’s first and highest 360-degree sky pool lounge on the 50th floor of the Palm Tower, serves a stunning panorama of the Dubai skyline. This collaboration aims to inspire fitness enthusiasts with a unique experience and stunning views.
In imagining its takeover of the AURA space, BOSS takes inspiration from laid-back Mediterranean summer style, and chic, Riviera beach club flair. Guests are offered exclusive experiences as they soak up the sun by the poolside, enjoy lunch in the sky, or reset with various Yoga classes. The BOSS x AURA capsule collection will also be available at AURA Skypool Lounge, which is an exclusive collaboration offering a curated selection of apparel and accessories.
Coming Soon: The Class
Emma Stone describes it as ‘transcendent’, for Naomi Watts it’s ‘an emotional epiphany’, while Gwyneth Paltrow has called it a ‘cathartic release’. We are, of course, talking about The Class, a hot new exercise class which has quickly become a cult smash in New York and LA. The brainchild of Taryn Toomey, a former Ralph Lauren sales executive turned yoga teacher, each class typically lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, and is a mix of yoga poses, basic aerobic exercises such as jumping jacks and burpees, meditation and freestyle dancing.
