Galadari Group powers ahead

With the aim to burst through the Top 3, Galadari Group companies further pumped up the workout volume this week with various activities.

 With little over a week left for the inaugural 30x30 Dubai Fitness Challenge to conclude, Galadari Group, the parent company of Khaleej Times, has powered its way to No. 4 among 259 firms registered with the initiative.
With the aim to burst through the Top 3, Galadari Group companies further pumped up the workout volume this week with various activities.
On Wednesday, more than 50 employees of Baskin Robbins (Galadari Ice Cream Company) gathered at the Zabeel Park for a fitness camp.
The employees were participating in the camp as part of the 30x30 Dubai Fitness Challenge, but each one of them also had their own personal reason for wanting to get fit. All the staff members were sporting their Baskin Robbins and Galadari Brothers T-shirts during the fitness camp.
Bhanu Pratap Rathore, the country manager of the company, led the sessions. He spoke about his passion for fitness to Khaleej Times. "Personally, I've been part of the fitness club for the past two years and have been running half marathons," Rathore said.
"This year, I'm training for a full marathon. In the company, we also do weight-loss training programmes, where we set targets. We have been doing this for the past few years. We also get together post-office hours and do any kind of exercises that we can, like dancing for instance."
The regional human resources manager at the firm, Mohit Menon, also participated in the camp. He says he tries to ensure that there are plenty of health- and fitness-related activities for the entire staff. Menon also has his own personal reasons for wanting to get into shape.
"I want to get back into my suit that I got stitched five years ago, so that's my motivation," he said. "There are a couple of things we're doing at the company, for example, a session by a dietician and a blood pressure camp. About 150 employees come together once every week or so for joint fitness sessions."
One employee at Baskin Robbins is looking to lose the weight she gained during her pregnancy.
Ayshath Femina, 30, said: "I put on a lot of weight when I had my baby, so I've been trying to lose that. The fitness challenge has really motivated me to get going. I walk in the morning and in the evening I take my kids with me. I also run around the park and I'm fixing my dieting habits."

KT staff step up to jump, squat and lunge

On Thursday, Khaleej Times' employees took to the greens with great enthusiasm as trainers from Dubai's Fidelity Fitness Club made them go through the paces.
From burpees to high knees run, from star jumps to prisoner standups and even Russian twists, the acclaimed trainers mixed it up to ensure everyone attending the session left a few calories lighter.
Tony Wallis, health & fitness manager, Fidelity Fitness Club, said the idea was to give everyone attending the session a nice cardiovascular workout through a circuit-style training. "We almost wiped out Khaleej Times today, making sure everyone was drained out after the workout," joked the Briton.
The concluding session will be held at Khaleej Times lawns next Thursday, as part of the build-up to the November 17 and 18 closing ceremony of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, which will be headlined by none other than World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua.
The Dubai Fitness Challenge was launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, on October 20 with an aim to put Dubai amongst the most active cities in the world.
The 30-day fitness challenge involves physical and sporting activities and includes the participation of many community members and groups, in the light of the keen desire of various departments, authorities and educational institutions, as well as individuals, to promote exercise.

Top four things to do today

1-Wake up to fitness
What: Wake Up Workout by Bare
Where: Burj Park Downtown Dubai Fitness Weekend
Time: 10am
Duration: 30 minutes
2-Cut those extra calories
What: Bodyweight Workout by Bare
Where: Burj Park Downtown Dubai Fitness Weekend
Time: 10.30am
Duration: 30 minutes
3-Carry the momentum forward
What: The Aviation Club Presents: Les Mills Grit Plyo
Where: Burj Park Downtown Dubai Fitness Weekend
Time: 1pm
Duration: 60 minutes
4-Bounce back into workouts
What: Ultimate Bounce Trampolining
Where: Burj Park Downtown Dubai Fitness Weekend
Time: 6.30pm
Duration: 60 minutes

30-day fitness challenge

The 30-day fitness challenge involves physical and sporting activities and includes the participation of many community members and groups, in the light of the keen desire of various departments, authorities and educational institutions, as well as individuals, to promote exercise.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai Fitness Challenge