Dubai’s fitness explosion! Dubai fitness news update!

It seems to me that Dubai has an insatiable appetite for everything to do with fitness right now. New events, new gyms and group exercise classes are popping up everywhere. Maybe it’s all of the Friday brunches that guilt-trip everyone into making amends the other six days of the week. Who knows? Who cares! I think it’s fantastic! All of these new events, gyms and classes mean that there’s surely something close to you in Dubai, no matter where you live. No more excuses of not being bothered to get to the other end of town!

New events

This last month has seen the Open for the Reebok 2012 CrossFit Games (http://games.crossfit.com/) take place. For the past five weeks athletes from all over the UAE have been making their way to the CrossFit affiliates in Dubai (Reebok CrossFit LifeSpark http://crossfitlifespark.com/ and The Burn Room http://www.theburnroom.com/) to test themselves against the very best in the world and see how they fare. Though it’s too late to enter there’s nothing stopping you trying out these WODs to see how you stack up against over 60,000 other athletes of all ages and abilities.

On Friday 6th – Saturday 7th April 2012, Dubai Marina-based gym Core Direction (http://www.coredirection.com/) are hosting their inaugural Corefit Games at the Dubai International Marine Club. The heats take place on Friday 6th, followed by semis and finals the following day. Entry is AED 100 per person, and the prizes include flights and four nights’ accommodation in Thailand for two! Great prize! One sure to bring out the best in the region!

Reebok CrossFit LifeSpark http://crossfitlifespark.com/ (who are soon to move their box to JLT) are hosting a CrossFit Gymnastics certification course on Friday 20th – Saturday 21st April 2012. This is a gymnastics course open to everyone to develop your CrossFit-specific gymnastic skills. Sign up soon, this is sure to be very popular!

New gym

Fitness Zone JLT (http://fitnesszonedubai.com/) is a very comprehensive gym which also allows guests to pay-per-visit rather than signing up for a membership fee scheme.

Dubai-based blogs that are new to me:
http://coffeecakesandrunning.wordpress.com/

http://ingerindubai.com/ (though unless you speak Norwegian you’ll need to enable translator on Google)

http://www.wix.com/americanfitness/beastsquad#! – This site gives more information on a whole range of personal trainers in Dubai so you’ll be sure to find someone who suits your needs.

New group classes

The Circuit Factory (http://www.circuitfactory.ae/) have expanded out of Al Quoz and are now also running daily sessions from JBR (next to Barasti) and the Meadows.

Ignite Fitness (http://www.ignite-wellness.com/) have some Easter special offers for both of their locations, The Shack in Umm Suqeum and RIVA Beach Club on Palm Jumeriah.

Abu Dhabi

And this explosion isn’t just in Dubai, but it seems that Abu Dhabi is also catching on. Read this great article in The National for more details: http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/well-being/smaller-gyms-trim-the-high-cost-of-keeping-fit#full

If you’re reading this in Abu Dhabi and looking for some CrossFit style training, look no further than Stop The Clock Fitness: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/StopTheClock-Fitness/314785138564979

I hope this update encourages you all to get your trainers on and get involved. It’s happening now, don’t miss out!