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Dubai: Cool activities to keep you fit this summer
Beat the heat this season with activities such as low-impact Aquafit classes and hiking on Ski Dubai's slopes
- PUBLISHED: Mon 7 Jul 2025, 4:15 PM
Is the heat making you feel lethargic? Causing you to drop your gym sessions and head towards the ice-cold slushies? We have some good news – there are a number of water (and snow)-rich activities around the city that will help you stay cool and get fit. From low-impact Aquafit classes to sled hauling gym sessions, and hiking on powdered slopes, here’s a look at the fun stuff you can do in Dubai this month.
Can you push a block of ice around?
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Stay cool as you enjoy a fun workout at GymNation this summer. Dubbed The Coolest Class in Dubai, this latest gym offering combines high-intensity interval training with (literally) cold challenges. Think Blizzard Sprints , where you run on a treadmill as giant fans simulate resistance; Frosted Reps, squats with ice-packed weighted vests; Glacier Grip Challenge, where you need to carry an ice bucket; and Polar Push, where you push a sled with ice blocks on it. At the end of your session, you get an ice bath to accelerate recovery. Worried about catching a cold? You’ll be equipped with insulated gloves and headgear to keep your temperature steady.
Free for both members and non-members (as long as they register online). Saturdays in July, 10am. GymNation Motor City.
Head to the slopes
Ladies, it’s time to grab your girl friends and head on over to the slopes. Yes, in Dubai (thank you, technology). Trek over snow-covered pathways as you giggle and catch up on gossip this month. And at the end of the two-hour ‘workout’, enjoy a nice breakfast – eggs Benedict, burgers, banana croissant - at North 28. The activity is available for those over 13, and you get a locker to stash your belongings before you head out into the snow. Don’t have the duds you need? Don’t worry, you also get to borrow snow boots, socks, trousers and jackets fit for this session.
Dh130 (per person). July 26, 7am-9am. Ski Dubai, Mall of The Emirates.
Skate escape
Not going out of town for the summer? That doesn’t mean you can’t perfect your flip, axel, or loop on ice. Head over to Dubai Mall’s Ice Rink and get a two-month membership that’ll allow you to glide and slide the warm season away.
Dh1,399. July-August. Ice Rink, Dubai Mall.
Cycling in the pool, anyone?
Dive into a fitness class that will not only get your heart-pumping and dress sizes dropping but it’ll do it in a low-impact environment. (Trust us, your knees will thank you.) You can work on your core, do squats, spinning, dips and more while in a pool with refreshing water to dull the heat of the sun. The classes are 45-minutes long and each set of exercises lasts between 45 seconds and a minute and is set to music. Boredom is basically left on the shore.
Dh120 (drop-in); Dh899 (12 classes in four weeks). Various timings and locations across Dubai.
Healing notes
As much as physical workouts help to keep you in good form, mental exercise has its therapeutic benefits, too. Try a sound healing experience at The Lost Chambers Aquarium, configured to help with nervous system rebalancing and emotional release. This is meditation on steroids. Just book your slot early, because there are only 15 spots per class.
Dh175. Wednesdays and Fridays, 8am. Atlantis, The Palm Dubai. Call +971 4 426 2666 to book your space.
Why play for just one day?
Ok, so we know this isn’t an exercise class, per say. But you know, if you do spend time rushing from ride to ride hollering your happiness, you are doing to burn a whole lot of calories. Now, the world’s largest waterpark – home to 105 slides and experiences – has a summer offer that’s almost too cool to be true. When you book a day pass to the waterpark, you get free access to it for a second day! Besides this, you can see a 30-minute Dolphin Discovery Presentation from Dolphin Bay beach, and get discounts on tickets to The Lost Chambers Aquarium, and dolphin and sea lion experiences.
From Dh280 (below 1.2 metres); Dh330 (above 1.2 metres). Until August 31. Aquaventure World.
