My Morning at the Dubai Fitness Challenge

On Saturday, November 1, I did something I never thought I would do: I traded my weekend lie-in for a 6 am workout.

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What's your go-to workout time?

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Instead of hitting snooze, I found myself at Kite Beach for the first day of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, where a section of the beach had been transformed into a massive open-air gym—the DP World 30×30 Fitness Village.

To be clear, I am not a fitness person. My idea of exercise is a leisurely walk after dinner. So, arriving to see crowds of people already sweating before sunrise filled me with a sense of dread. My first class was morning yoga at 7 am, and I was nervous.

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As I unrolled my mat, I was convinced I would look ridiculous. And I did. I wobbled through my poses and fell over more than once. 

But as the class shifted to meditation and I felt the early morning sun on my face, the embarrassment faded. I felt surprisingly good. Energized, even. When it was over, I wanted more.

BREATHING YOGA CLASSES AT GYMNATION

Next, I found my way to the WHOOP Lift zone. The sight of barbells and dumbbells nearly sent me running, but a friendly trainer named Christina encouraged me to join a 30-minute strength class.

My arms shook with every squat and press, but she was patient, guiding me through the proper form. It wasn't nearly as intimidating as I'd imagined. I felt capable.

By this point, I should have been exhausted, but I was on a roll. I spotted a Core Fit class and jumped in.

Ten minutes later, I was silently begging for mercy, but when the session ended, I couldn't stop smiling. I had just completed three back-to-back workouts—a personal miracle for someone who avoids treadmills at all costs.

I've tried gyms and group classes before, but I always felt too slow, unfit, and self-conscious. This was different.

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The atmosphere at Kite Beach was electric yet relaxed. There was no judgment, only encouragement. The trainers were motivating without being intimidating, and everyone was simply there to try their best. I realized fitness doesn't have to feel like a punishment.

The best part is that all the classes are free, and there’s so much more to explore, from kickboxing and Pilates to paddleboarding and spin classes.

If you can't make it to Kite Beach, there are two other Fitness Villages at Zabeel Park and Al Warqa’a Park, both packed with daily activities.

If the Dubai Fitness Challenge can convince a certified gym-avoider like me to actually enjoy exercise, it might just be worth a try. You might surprise yourself, too.

Source: gulfnews

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.