UAE Fitness Trends: Beating the Summer Heat

As temperatures in the UAE soar beyond 45°C, fitness enthusiasts are finding creative ways to stay active while avoiding the blistering heat.

From pre-dawn runs to invigorating ice-based workouts, summer has inspired a noticeable shift in exercise habits across the region.

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Adapting to the Heat

Former international sprinter and Dubai-based athletics coach Daniel Oderinde has observed a sharp change in how people approach their fitness routines during summer.

“The heat doesn’t mean people stop—it just changes when and how they train,” he explained.

Oderinde structures his runs around the cooler parts of the day, opting for early morning sessions like the Grey Days 5K social runs with New Balance or evening workouts after the sun sets.

On particularly hot days, he takes his training indoors to treadmills for a safer alternative.

However, these adjustments require thoughtful planning. “An early morning run means prioritizing sleep and hydration the night before,” Oderinde noted.

“For evening sessions, I carefully time my meals and water intake throughout the day to avoid cramping and keep my energy up.”

A Shift in Community Workouts

Julien Khoury, founder of the Dubai wellness center Breasy, echoed this sentiment, noting a distinct move toward early morning or late evening workouts.

“More people are starting their workouts early to take advantage of the cooler hours before the sun peaks,” he said. Late evening yoga, gym, and run sessions have also become increasingly popular as an escape from the heat.

To meet this demand, Breasy has adjusted its schedules for summer. “Our outdoor offerings now feature early-morning starts and later evening sessions that end with cold plunges.

For instance, our floating breathwork sessions at Aura Skypool are running bi-weekly to accommodate summer’s natural ebb and flow,” Khoury explained.

The center has also embraced flexibility, with relaxed class schedules to accommodate community members traveling over the summer, ensuring they can return to their routines with ease.

Read Also: A Step Toward Life: Walking Challenge Shines at Baha Festival

Ice-Cool Innovations

Meanwhile, fitness company GymNation has introduced unique ways to beat the heat with its “Coolest Class in Dubai” workouts at the Motor City branch.

These Saturday sessions in July featured activities involving ice and giant fans.

• Blizzard Sprints: Running on treadmills while facing massive fans.
  
  
• Polar Push: Sledge pushes with ice blocks.
  
  
• Glacier Grip Challenge: Carrying buckets filled with ice.
  
  

Feedback for these refreshing workouts has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Chief Marketing Officer Rory McEntee.

“The demand has been so high that we’ve introduced a ballot system to ensure fairness. We’re already considering adding more sessions to meet the interest,” he shared.

Staying Active Through Summer

From adjusting training schedules to exploring innovative fitness experiences, residents in the UAE are proving that extreme heat is no barrier to staying fit.

With a combination of creativity, planning, and determination, they’re finding ways to keep active while staying cool.

Source: khaleejtimes

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.