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STRSportLifestyle

by Dara Morgan

Community Working Out: Your Answers To Why We Train Together

9 Jan 2026

Welcome to Community Working Out — a new podcast series exploring the communities built around movement in Dubai and beyond.

Hosted by Sofia Brontvein — founder of The Sandy Times, dedicated cyclist, and sometimes a true fitness maniac — Community Working Out brings together voices from across Dubai’s running, cycling, and wellness scene to examine how training together shapes who we are.

The first episode of Community Working Out explores identity, belonging, and how group training in Dubai has grown into something far bigger than fitness.

Dubai doesn’t come with built-in human infrastructure. Without intentional effort, it is easy to work hard, stay busy, and still feel disconnected — even in perfect weather.

The answer to that loneliness might be surprisingly simple: set your alarm for 5:30 am.

You probably won’t find your people after sunset — but you might before dawn. Because movement-based communities have quietly filled a gap in modern urban life, offering structure, emotional support, resilience, and real human connection where none is guaranteed.

In this episode, we explore:

  • Why expat-heavy cities like Dubai experience high loneliness despite constant interaction
  • How training communities create identity, continuity, and psychological safety
  • Why shared physical stress accelerates trust and emotional openness
  • How movement-based groups outperform traditional networking spaces
  • Why consistency — not charisma — is what builds real connection
  • How inclusive wellness spaces retain people by prioritizing belonging over performance

Featuring voices from Dubai’s community movement:

Listen now