Sheikh Hamdan announces 30-day fitness challenge

Dubai - The challenge aims to put Dubai among top global cities in terms of improving quality of life.

With the aim of becoming the world's most active city in the world, Dubai residents have been asked to champion a fitness movement and commit to 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days.
The '30 minute x 30 days' Dubai Fitness Challenge was announced by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai Government and Dubai Sports Council on Monday with the aim of motivating residents to take up physical activity and making Dubai the most active city in the world.
Running from October 20 to November 18, the challenge is the emirate's only multi-activity, city-wide fitness movement to date. Encompassing all forms of activity - from walking, team sports, intense fitness regimes, paddle-boarding and aerobics to football, yoga, cycling and everything in between - this will be an action-packed and most importantly personally rewarding month of self-discovery, social interaction and enjoyment for everyone of all ages, abilities and fitness levels.
The new challenge seeks to inspire Dubai's citizens, residents and visitors to boost their physical activity by committing to a minimum of 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days through a wide range of fitness activities, sports or exercise.
"Dubai aims to set an example for cities around the world in encouraging citizens to give high importance to physical activity and sports," said Sheikh Hamdan.
"We are very keen to spread a culture of fitness since we strongly believe that making physical activity and sports a part of their daily routines will help people significantly improve the quality of their lives."
"The Dubai Fitness Challenge has been designed to motivate people to pursue an active and energetic lifestyle. This complements other initiatives we are pursuing to transform Dubai itself into the world's happiest city by providing a positive social environment and the conditions for an enriching lifestyle," he added.
The challenge will also give participants the opportunity to experiment with new and exciting ways to improve their fitness levels, and experience the wide range of sports and exercise programmes that will be showcased across the city that they may not have tried before.

Sheikh Hamdan also challenged all government organisations, public sector and educational institutions to be the drivers of change.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing commented: "With the launch of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, we aim to become the most active city in the world, motivating everyone across all ages, and fitness levels, to start with small steps that will benefit them and their families."
"We want everyone to join this inclusive initiative, from those who have never exercised to those that are fitness enthusiasts, from the young to the old and the people of determination, and the entire community including schools, businesses and government organisations across Dubai.
In this Year of Giving, Dubai Fitness Challenge is an opportunity to give not just to ourselves but also to others, and we are confident that the people of Dubai will get behind this movement wholeheartedly, he said.
Dr Roshan Oomen, General Practioner at Aster Clinic said that 30 to 60 minutes of exercise helps in protecting the vital organs of the body. "This activity helps reduce hypertension, diabetes and improves heart health," he said.
He also said that exercise promotes blood circulation and also supplies blood to the brain which promotes mental well-being.
"We have a high number of children who are obese so it will be good for even 12 year olds to be physically active," he added.
The best kind of exercise, he said was a brisk 30 to 60 minute walk but any kind of sports activities would also keep people healthy in the long run. asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com
How to register
Encompassing a huge range of sporting events and supported by partners from across the public and private sectors, Dubai Fitness Challenge boasts a packed diary of exciting and inspiring fitness activities throughout the month in locations across the city.
With hundreds of events, classes and activities completely free of charge, there's no excuse not to join in. To register and pledge your commitment to 30 minutes of activity for 30 days, visit www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com. Once the challenge starts, be sure to download the Dubai Fitness Challenge App to track your performance, discover events and unlock exciting rewards.
Highlights
Highlights of the initiative include five weekend fitness carnivals starting at Safa Park on Oct 20 and 21; celebrity guests, motivational experts and fitness professionals will make motivational appearances at various locations, dedicated events and live entertainment.
A packed schedule of daily fitness events, free exercise classes and dedicated community activities in each of Dubai's neighbourhoods, the challenge will also feature a number of existing and highly successful partner events including Dubai Color Run, Dubai Mass Swim and Dubai Schools Fitness Games among others.

The challenge starts with YOU! Gear up for 20 October & let's turn Dubai into the most active city @DXBFitChallenge pic.twitter.com/YsfXxYsZvb
- Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) October 2, 2017