Six Exercise Classes To Try If You Are Bored Of Your Workouts

Be it transforming your body, establishing mental clarity or simply injecting a little movement into your daily routine, these innovative new exercise classes will elevate your workout to entirely new heights

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.

What muscles will it work? Great for both cardio and muscle toning, play regularly and you’ll notice definition in your legs and glutes as well as arms, abdomen and back too.

Who is it for? Basically, anyone. The welcoming inclusivity of Padel means that anyone, of any age and any level of fitness, can try it —and get addicted — fast. Unlike tennis, the serve is underarm, and the bounce is slow (at least at first), so you’ll get the hang of it in no time.

What’s new? With demand soaring, schools and clubs, parks and hotels are all carving out new spaces and reimagining community sport via Padel. By far the most stylish digs has to be Padel Arena which opened just this summer at Emirates Golf Club complete with licensed bar and a gorgeous outdoor deck boasting fantastic Dubai Marina views.

Why we love it: Aside from the fitness aspect, Padel is seen as asocial gathering for friends, and there’s no better way to spend a Saturday morning than with a game at the newly-opened courts followed by breakfast next door at Carine which is only open in the morning at weekends.

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.

Who else is a fan? Created by women for women, Kate Bosworth, Molly Sims and a whole host of Victoria’s Secret Angels have all sung the workout’s praises, so you’ll definitely be in good company.

Who is it for? Women who like to exercise in the comfort of their own home. While there are only physical studios in the US and Canada right now, you can purchase the equipment online at Pvolve.com and get access to hundreds of on-demand videos, curated classes, personal consultations and live virtual classes (around 56 a week) led by a roster of highly qualified trainers, available to stream on its app at your disposal.

What muscles will it work? As the Pvolve method integrates all ranges of motion, from side-to-side, front-to-back and rotational, it activates all major and surrounding muscle groups to enhance the physique while improving strength, mobility and stability. Learn more

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.

How does it work? Don the provided bodysuit, step into the machine and simply cycle, as you would on a bike, for 30 minutes a time.

Where can I find it? Mandara Spa at the H Hotel, Dubai. Book now

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.

Why we love it: Not only has Bia Warrior created an impressive community of strong, like-minded women, there’s nothing quite like this class in the whole of Dubai and it will teach you new fitness skills on a weekly basis.

What else can we expect? If obstacles aren’t quite your thing, you can also check out semi-PT strength training programme Warrior Strong while, for new mums, Bia Mama is structured to help pre- and post-partum women train securely and confidently. Book now

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.

Who is it for? Chic fitness enthusiasts who love a work-out with a view and a unique shopping experience in the sky.

How can we get involved? The BOSS experience is at AURA Skypool Lounge until December 29, 2023, which offers fitness lovers a range of guided Yoga classes, 10 AM to 11:00 PM, 7 days a week. Classes include Yin Yoga sound healing, Power Fit, Yoga Dance and Sunrise Flow, among others.

What else can we expect? At the newly reopened BOSS store at The Dubai Mall, shoppers can immerse themselves virtually in this experience. This not only allows them to engage with a 360-degree panorama of the AURA Skypool venue but also view and purchase the Dubai-exclusive capsule collection.

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.

Who else is a fan? Drew Barrymore and Alicia Keys are both regulars, while The Class has also previously collaborated with Harry Styles and George Ezra for music.

Where can I try it? With studios at both 22 Park Place in New York and Santa Monica in LA, if you’re travelling to the US anytime soon then be sure to book in for a session (or five). We’re hoping it heads to the UAE soon, so watch this space. Learn more