Every UAE-based fitness fanatic is about to enter their favourite time of year. The Dubai Fitness Challenge 2023 is now just days away, and we have a whole month of fun sports, sweaty workouts and epic races to look forward to.
What is the Dubai Fitness Challenge 30×30?
The Dubai Fitness Challenge is a month-long celebration of fitness and wellness.
Starting on October 28 and concluding on November 26, it is centred around one simple yet effective task – to complete 30 minutes of exercise every day for 30 days. The 30×30 challenge is open to everyone, including people of ages, and all fitness levels.
Launched in 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the challenge is now in its seventh year.
The momentum and buzz around the movement continues to increase with each passing year. To date, over 2.2 million people have taken part.
One of the world’s biggest fitness events, participants are invited to join in with thousands of free fitness classes, sports, activities, events and wellness experiences in various locations across the city. For anyone interested in health and fitness, it’s an absolute dream.
Ranging from small community sports tournaments to monumental large-scale runs and rides that take over the Sheikh Zayed Road, it’s a truly extraordinary concept.
Sheikh Hamdan, who is known for his love for adventurous pursuits, created the event to provide everyone in the UAE with the opportunity to enjoy an active lifestyle.
Whether you work out every day, or you’re totally new to exercise, the Dubai Fitness Challenge is the perfect chance to try new things, challenge yourself, push your limits and be part of something incredible that is totally unique to the UAE.
Where does it happen?
Most of the Dubai Fitness Challenge activities happen in three massive, purpose-built villages, and across 25 community fitness hubs.
The community hubs can be found at Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Hatta, DANUBE Sports World, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai Police Officers Club, The Beach JBR, Champs Sports & Fitness Club, Fitness First Platinum at Dubai Festival City Mall and other locations.
The Villages
DP World Kite Beach Fitness Village
One of the main destinations for the Dubai Fitness Challenge, the Kite Beach village offers fitness classes led by 60 renowned local studios, and multiple different sports.
Spanning everything from yoga to HIIT, and padel, cricket, football, basketball and more popular group activities, little ones also have their own kids’ zone. For added excitement, you can test yourself on the giant 40m inflatable water-based obstacle course (the only chargeable activity in the village).
Open Mon to Fri, 3pm to 10pm and Sat and Sun, 7am to 10pm.
Run and Ride Central
New for the 2023 edition, Run and Ride Central is the ultimate hub for those who want to boost their fitness levels this winter.
Offering over 600 free fitness sessions and 400-plus hours of activities, including spinning, Body Combat and HIIT, there’s also tempting pop-up shops to browse from Asics, Sun and Sand Sports and more. Located at One Central, it’s just a short walk from Emirates Towers and Dubai World Trade Centre Metro stations.
Open daily.
RTA Mushrif Park Cycle Centre
An exciting new attraction for cycling enthusiasts, the cycle centre offers guided mountain bike and road rides of various distances through the green and peaceful Mushrif Park. There’s a pump track for kids, and you can bring your own bikes, or rent one for free on site.
Rides take place Mon to Fri from 7am to 8am and 4pm to 8.30pm, and Sat and Sun from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 10pm.
What events are happening?
Much of the buzz that surrounds the Dubai Fitness Challenge is created by the Dubai Ride, the city’s biggest cycling event, and the Dubai Run, the world’s largest fun run.
They’re both back this October, alongside many other outstanding mass-participation events that offer everything from yoga, to stand-up paddle, and triathlons in the sky. Some are free and some require a registration fee. All the details can be found below.
City Half Marathon
Offering 5km, 10km and half marathon routes, the Dubai Fitness Challenge kicks off with an inclusive and friendly race through the landmarks of DIFC.
October 29, Dh150-225. Register here.
Museum of the Future Yoga & Sound Journey
There are few more beautiful places to nurture your wellbeing than Dubai’s extraordinary Museum of the Future. Rejuvenate your body and soul with a hatha yoga class set to the soothing notes of a live handpan, and complete the transformative journey with a sound healing session.
Limited to 200 spots. November 3, 4 and 5. Yoga from 6.30am to 7.30am, sound healing from 8am to 9am.
Dubai Ride 2023
The Dubai Ride is an extraordinary spectacle that sees the Sheikh Zayed Road become taken over by thousands and thousands of cyclists. Passing Downton Dubai landmarks such as Future and Business Bay, you can choose from a 4km family ride or a 12km loop. Last year the event drew 34,897 cyclists, and this year’s event promises to be even bigger.
November 12. 6.15am – 7.45am. Free. Register here.
Aura Skypool Tri in the Sky
Only Dubai would think of hosting a triathlon 200 metres in the sky, and centred around the world’s highest 360° infinity pool. Set against amazing views of the Dubai skyline and the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, the ultra-glamorous triathlon includes a 3km row on a static rowing machine, a 3km cycle on a stationary bike, and the most picturesque 250 metres swim of your life in the spectacular infinity pool.
Nov 18, Dh250. Register here.
The Dubai Stand-Up Paddle
The first ever mass stand-up paddle session at the stunning Hatta Dam is a moment not to be missed. A new mega event for the seventh year of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, it comes complete with free training sessions and, if your balance is really on point, a relaxing Sunset SUP Yoga Class. Surrounded by the Hatta region’s majestic mountains, it promises to be a magical experience. Free boards are available to rent, or you can bring your own. Free shuttle buses will also be provided from Dubai to Hatta and back, subject to availability.
November 18 from 2pm, free. Register here.
Dubai Run 2023
Presented by Sheikh Hamdan himself, a staggering 193,000 runners took part in the 2022 version. This year, the movement is hoping to make history once again and break the 200,000 participant mark. Taking over Sheikh Zayed Road with runners, joggers and walkers of all abilities, both the 5km and 10km routes start from the Museum of the Future. Taking in Emirates Towers, Dubai Opera and of course, the legendary Burj Khalifa, it offers an unmissable chance to be part of something truly extraordinary.
Registration is open via DubaiRun.com from October 16 onwards. November 26 from 6.3am to 9.30am, free.
Dubai Padel Cup Tournament
The padel trend is unstoppable. Along with running free padel clinics in different locations, the Dubai Padel Cup features eight community challenge tournaments and the first edition of the DPC Masters Tournament.
November 27 to 29, free. To register and find out more, visit the Dubai Padel Cup website.
How to register
Registration for all the large-scale events must be done separately via the links above.
To take part in the wider challenge, register via the website here.
There is no official app for the 2023 edition. Instead, the festival will be partnering with multiple local app providers to offer numerous ways of tracking your 30×30 progress and daily movement.
For more information about all the different activities in the Dubai Fitness Challenge and more ways to achieve you 30×30 goals, visit dubaifitnesschallenge.com.