This month, The Dubai Fitness Challenge has taken over the city with fitness fests, activities, workouts and challenges. It’s been So. Much. Fun! But, if you haven’t gotten your 30 mins a day yet, check some of these cool activities out. 

1. Go To The Cosmo Fitness Challenge

Get your 30 minutes in at uni with The Cosmo Fitness Challenge. We bring a FREE fitness class to a university around the city every day this week and you can check out the schedule here. So, carry an extra pair of sneakers, bring your friends along and join a fun workout. You can also take home really cool goodies and win some amazing prizes thanks to Herschel Middle East, Fitbit Middle East and Atheletes Co. 

2. YouTube Videos

If you’re lazy (like me) and don’t want to head outside for your workout, do it at home. Find easy workout videos on YouTube and get moving! There are vids that use equipment and some that don’t so there’s something for everyone. I like doing two videos so that I can get in a yoga session AND a HIIT workout. Cool right? This saves me time, fuel and the effort to go to the gym…don’t worry, we all have those days. 

3. Apps Are Life Savers

There are so many apps out there that help you workout, eat right AND stay accountable for your fitness goals. (They’re basically digital personal trainers.) 

When I get home from work, I use the Nike Training Club app. They have really easy-to-follow videos for all kinds of workouts from HIIT to yoga. What’s really cool is that the app makes sure to give you exercises that’s just for your fitness level and helps you work towards a goal slowly but consistently based on your level of activity. 

The SWEAT App is one of the most popular fitness platforms out there. It was created by Kayla Itsines who is a personal trainer herself. She has a paid training app that gives you 28 minute workouts with other personalized trainers to guide you as well. What’s even cooler is that SWEAT offers healthy recipes and challenges too so you can have an all-round wellbeing experience.

4. Yoga Day Out At Global Village

Friday is all about getting some well deserved rest and relaxation. You can start this Friday November 8 with a FREE yoga session from 8am – 11am at Global Village. AND Lululemon is bringing in their instructors, Allie McLaughlin and Neha Duseja, to lead TWO sessions outdoors. It’s going to be so zen and peaceful…I can’t wait. 

5. Bay Avenue Fitness Fest

You can spend the last few days of the Dubai Fitness Challenge at Bay Avenue from November 16 to 18. The whole festival is going to be celebrating fitness for everyone with fun activities, challenges, and games from 7am to 9:30pm every day. Fitness coaches from Fitness First and GFX will be be leading FREE outdoor classes like yoga, Zumba, body combat and boxing. WOW! This fest is quite literally going to be action-packed. 

6. Staying Active At Home 

If you don’t want to attend any events, there’s still so much you can do at home to get movin’. 

Go for a walk for 15-30 minutes a day. Yes, walking burns calories guys so, just walking around your neighbourhood and listening to some music counts as a workout too. (I just call one of my friends and talk to them while I walk…the time just flies by. It works.) If you want to take it a step further, maybe jog for a few minutes and walk the rest. Make the workout your own and have fun with it. 

If you’re stuck for exercises to do, check out workouts on Pinterest that have diagrams to guide you. Search for the kind of workout you want or the body part you’re focusing on, and select something that pops up. It’s easy and you can save the photo so you can refer back to it later in the week. 

If you’re not in the mood to do a full workout, commit to doing a number of reps of ONE exercise. For example: Do 30 lunges every alternate day this week. It’s a way to start focusing on your physical health. It doesn’t matter what exercise you do, it’s the fact that you’re doing it that matters.  

The Dubai Fitness Challenge is what you make of it. It’s all about getting the city active and YOUR actions count. So get in a workout when you can, have fun while you’re doing it and watch your health and mood improve. 

Have fun guys and good luck!