You go to Bali when you want to surf. You head to Courchevel or Georgia if you are into skiing. And if you come to Dubai? Surprisingly, you can do a huge range of sports here — whether it is surfing, cycling, running, or even diving. But is there a well-formulated government strategy aimed to motivate people to have healthier and active lives? Or there is no secret behind it. And do the countless sport spots encourage people to be more active? Or the fast-paced lifestyle overshadows everything. We are exploring these questions through the sport journeys of The Sandy Times editorial team.

Tourists might think Dubai is all about parties, trendy cafes, and shopping, but for me, the city has an entirely different side.

Want to try wake surfing? No matter where you live, the nearest wake spot is just a maximum 20-minute drive away. Kitesurfing? Go straight to Kite Beach — it looks like kites are flying there 24 hours a day, no matter the weather. Mountain biking? There are tracks for both professionals and beginners, scattered throughout Dubai and beyond. You will also find rock climbing spots, boxing schools, countless studios for stretching, yoga, pilates, and dance — and believe me, that is not the end of the list. Plus, there is a gym in almost every building — just as a little bonus!

On a government level, sports are highly promoted. The city regularly hosts large sporting events, often backed by the royal family. One upcoming example is the Dubai Fitness Challenge, starting on October 26, featuring a schedule of free workouts, running, cycling, and other wellness-focused entertainments. This initiative was launched by Sheikh Hamdan to encourage people to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives, and, by the way, it became quite popular among Dubai residents

Speaking of my personal wellness journey, it actually started before I moved to Dubai. I took dance classes, but I never saw them as a serious sport — just a way to unwind. However, once I settled here, things changed. Every building we lived in had a gym, and I found myself heading down three–four times a week to run a few kilometres, just “for a change of scenery.” I soon realised that if I wanted to build a community and make new friends, I had to put myself out there, so I joined a dance and stretching studio. I also picked up on a Dubai trick — people do not always invite you to a café to socialise; instead, they might offer you to join them at a padel court (which, by the way, is usually packed on weekends). And now I feel like I am part of a sporty community without putting in much effort. 

My experience just backs up my thesis: with well-planned government initiatives, easy access to sports facilities, and smart promotion of a healthy lifestyle, Dubai can definitely be called a wellness hub. But of course, it would not make sense to rely only on my own perspective. That is why I reached out to the Sandy Times team to hear about their sports journeys and see if my theory holds up. 

— Do you do sports here, and if so, which ones?

— Yes, I think Dubai is a perfect place for a healthy routine. I do sports a lot — I cycle two to three times per week, hit the gym for high-intensity training just as often, and play tennis once a week. In general, I manage about five to six workouts each week.

— Can you say that you have started exercising more frequently in Dubai? Why do you think that is?

— Absolutely. Since moving to Dubai, my health routine has significantly improvedHere in Dubai we work a lot. It is quite a stressful city that brings a lot of anxiety, so having a sports and health routine helps you stay stable and support your mental health. I am also saying that, when you go to Kite Beach and see all those fit and handsome people working out, it is hard not to think “okay, I need to look good too”.

— Do you need to push yourself to exercise?

— Yes, sometimes I need to push, especially with cycling, as it requires up to 1.5–2 hours.

Sometimes the days are so packed that I either have to wake up at 6 am or go cycling at 9 pm after shutting down my laptop, when all I want to do is relax and watch Netflix. 

But every time I tell myself: afterwards I will feel better, look better, and sleep better — that helps me keep moving.

— When do you usually exercise? In the morning/evening, on weekends/ weekdays?

In general, I am not a morning person, when it comes to sports, so I prefer working out in the evening. But in Dubai, it really depends on the season. In the winter, I try to cycle in the mornings because it is just really pleasant — you can get some sun, maybe even go for a swim, and there are not many people around. But in summer, I cycle in the evening since it is just too hot at any other time.

As for the gym, I usually hit it around midday to recharge myself.

— Do you do sports here, and if so, which ones?

— Yes, I run regularly, and I have also picked up cycling and swimming since moving here. I do not do triathlons, though — I feel like I would be just okay at all three, and I prefer to focus on being good at one sport.

— Can you say that you have started exercising more frequently in Dubai? Why do you think that is?

— Staying in shape in Dubai is quite challenging because the city is built around cars rather than walking. This makes it extremely important to maintain a sports routine.

I would not say I have started exercising more frequently — I have kept up my sports routine for years, as physical exercise for me is a form of active meditation. However, I am putting more focus on it now because I need to dedicate time to stay fit and feel good.

— Do you need to push yourself to exercise?

— I am not really pushing myself — just enjoying it.

When do you usually exercise? In the morning/evening, on weekends/weekdays?

I usually do sports in the morning, however, I recently discovered that late-night runs also work really well for me. 

The main reason I prefer mornings is that they provide a great state of mind — it feels like active meditation. If you wake up early enough, you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and have some quiet “me time” before heading downstairs to the gym.

I use my home gym and typically run on a treadmill for about an hour, followed by some stretching. After that, I feel like a brand new person for the day. In the evenings, I usually exercise whenever I cannot find the time in the morning due to work — however, I find it harder to motivate myself because I am already tired from the day.

I try to work out every day except one, aiming for six days a week with one day dedicated to rest. I learned the hard way that when I skip rest days for too long, my legs become stiff, and I can’t do anything.

I will be brief: I do sports like tennis and horseback riding year-round, except during the summer.

To be honest, I do not find Dubai motivating for any physical activity. I feel that I have to push myself to work out, but I aim to do it at least a few times a week, whether in the evenings during the working days or on weekends. Since moving here, I have been exercising less. I believe this is mainly due to a lack of work-life balance — I either finish too late to do any sports or feel too exhausted.

There is a feeling that Dubai’s wellness hub is largely defined by the kind of people it gathers — active, hardworking, and goal-oriented. For them sport is not an additional headache, but simply a part of their daily routine. Taking The Sandy Times team as an example, it is clear that a tough schedule is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it is the perfect way to switch gears quickly; on the other hand — just an additional excuse to skip the workout.

The rule is simple: those who want to find something will always find it — so seek out the sports spots that bring you joy and stop looking for reasons not to engage in them!