Feeling energetic? Ready for a change? From Barry’s Bootcamp to Curvalicious, Afshan Ahmed rounds up the newest workout options in Dubai – a city that is already teeming with the best and newest ways to get and stay fit.
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Warehouse Gym
Jumeirah Beach Residence
Price: From Dh400/month
04 368 4080 / www.whgym.com
After opening up a gritty warehouse space for CrossFit, circuit training and boxing a few years back and then setting up the first muscle beach in JBR, the management of the Warehouse Gym now have a fitness boutique in JBR. Want to fill up on nutritious post-workout meals right after a tough session? This gym at The Walk houses a branch of the popular Common Grounds. Unlike the parent multi-training facility in Al Quoz, this suave space has a dimmed interior with subdued blue and red lights and all the latest strength machines. For powerlifters, there are also four training platforms, barbells and free weights. Members of the parent gym can also access this one for free and sign up for CrossFit, spin and circuit classes that are conducted on the muscle beach in the cooler months.
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Base 3
Jumeirah Lake Towers
Price: From Dh1,100/month
052 772 8449 / @base3dxb
When it comes to Craig Harriman and Emily Estall passion project Base 3, it is back to the core basics of fitness – lifestyle, performance and resilience. That’s why this fitness space is devoid of heavy training equipment. The husband and wife duo believe that improving form and working on bodyweight movements is the foundation of training. They offer CrossFit and strongman-style conditioning classes in a spacious uncluttered gym. They also have shorter sessions that combine the two styles as lunch-hour corporate sessions and ladies-only training. The gym has all the essentials for strength training, including a rig for gymnastics, free weights, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, sleds and a yoke. They will also be introducing movement and resilience accessory classes to address imbalances, breathing, band work and stretching.
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1SIX8
Beach Road- Jumeirah 1 and Warehouse Gyms
Price: From Dh80/class
04 325 4499 / www.1six8.net
The founders of this concept, husband and wife duo Linda and Brian Cochrane, have set up their own studio after introducing the high-intensity and interval-based hour-long training at Warehouse Gym locations. Cochrane first introduced BURN, a blend of High Intensity Interval Training and resistance training that help gain lean muscle and improve endurance. A 45-minute class on treadmills, rowing machines, free weights and TRX suspension trainers can burn up to 1,000 calories. But now they also offer PUNCH, a group boxing class that takes participants through various boxing combinations with the punch by numbers approach. The bodyweight conditioning works the arms, shoulders, core and legs. Their PEDAL concept is an indoor spin class with interval training in the mix. They will also be launching BEND, a class that will combine yoga and stretching elements for improving mobility.
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Curvalicious
Nadd Al Hamar Avenues
Price: From Dh1,400/month
04 397 3338 / www.curvalicious.fit
Curvalicious is a new ladies-only fitness studio set up by Emirati fitness enthusiast and mum Iman Al Omrani, to encourage the local population – especially mothers – to get moving. The studio runs three weekly classes, Bootylicious, Bodylicious and Upperlicious, with each session concentrating on activating different muscle groups. The classes are a combination of suspension and functional training, calisthenics, bodybuilding and powerlifting.
Every member begins with an in-body assessment to help set a fitness goal and will be mentored throughout their time in the classes, with a specific focus on technique. They also throw in weekly surprise classes like yoga, dance and pilates to keep it interesting for members.
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Yalla Fitness
Dubai Business Bay
Price: From Dh69/class
04 442 6156 / yallafitness.com
This fitness centre has a pay-as-you-go plan for people who do not want to commit to long-term membership packages. With a combination of group classes that offer everything from cardio to strength training, the studio is a good option for fitness enthusiasts who thrive on varied programming. Their Ignite24 classes utilises the Skillmill, a nonmotorised treadmill that forces participants to use their power and develop speed, stamina and agility, along with sand bells and suspension trainers to build muscle. The TrueBar sessions help lengthen the muscles and enhance mobility, while their TeamPlay classes employ the PRAMA technology that uses sensors and floor and wall markings to guide members in an interactive workout.
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Platform
Nadd Al Hamar
Price: From Dh100/day
www.platform.vision / @platform.vision
This CrossFit box by Emirati CrossFit athlete Shiakha Al Qassemi is set to open next month. The athlete is developing the space to not only offer speciality classes but create a meeting point for like-minded fitness enthusiasts and promote homegrown fitness brands and healthy food concepts. They will be teaming up with Ratios coffee to provide a communal space for workshops and well-being talks. The facility will offer base classes that focus on technique and strength for newcomers, along with speciality classes in Olympic lifting, gymnastics. There will also be separate ladies-only, kids and teens classes.
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Barry’s Bootcamp
Central Park Towers at DIFC
Price: Dh80/class
[email protected] / @barrysbootcampdubai
The high intensity interval training concept that originated in Los Angeles in 1998 now has a cult following. Their first studio in the Middle East will open in Dubai this month. Barry’s Dubai studio will be 6,000 square feet with an industrial look, floor-to-ceiling windows and flashy neon lights. They will offer their signature classes of 25-30-minute interval based cardio workouts on treadmills and the next 30 minutes will be dedicated to strength training with free weights and resistance bands. The studio will also house a lifestyle clothing boutique with Barry’s apparel and their famous Fuel Bar that will serve healthy smoothies and snacks.
