Dubai Fitness Challenge: Coach vows to do 30,000 squats in 30 days

Dubai - 35-year-old Michael Andrew has already completed 5,000 squats since the launch of the challenge on October 18.

A Dubai-based fitness coach for students of determination is determined to conquer the 30x30 Dubai Fitness Challenge, pledging to complete 30,000 squats in 30 days.

35-year-old Michael Andrew, a fitness coach and student of psychology from South Africa, has already completed 5,000 squats since the launch of the challenge on October 18.

"I have to do 25,000 squats more to complete the challenge. I do 1,000 squats in an hour; starting with 20 squats and taking a 30-second break every minute. As the hour progresses, it gets tougher to complete the squat, and the break gets shorter with the last 20 minutes being the most physically exhausting," Andrew told Khaleej Times.

The fitness coach only performs air squats, or bodyweight squats, usually on Kite Beach.

In a bid to get more people to participate, Andrew will organise group squat sessions in government departments, health centres, and at his university.

"I announce the exact location and time I will be doing the squats on my social media channels 24 hours ahead of the start time. So far, 20 people have joined me, and I am hoping the crowds will get bigger," he said.

On Fridays, Andrew will be performing squats at the Kite Beach Fitness Festival at 5pm, and on Tuesdays, he will be at Kite Beach at 5.30am, next to Salt.

This is the first time the educator is attempting a challenge of this nature.

"In the gym, the workout people dread the most is leg day," he said.

"The trick is to encourage people to build up their stamina and their fitness to the next level. The challenge is to take it on gradually. People don't have to do the full challenge at one go. They can start by doing 20 squats a day."

While his challenge aims to get more people moving, he also hopes his endeavour would raise awareness on the importance of exercise for kids of determination.

A resident of Dubai for nearly 10 years, Andrew works predominantly on children with autism and Down Syndrome. "I've been working with students of determination for most of my life. People with special needs are just like us; they need to stay active," said Andrew.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

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