Residents having fun by staying fit in Dubai

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Residents having fun by staying fit in Dubai
At 6pm, prizes were given to the best-dressed adult and child superhero.

Dubai - Hundreds of participants at this carnival were dressed to impress by donning the costume of their favourite superheroes

By Saman Haziq

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Published: Sat 4 Nov 2017, 8:22 PM

As the crowds thronged Skydive Dubai with friends and family on Friday to take part in the Dubai Fitness Challenge carnival, the arena transformed into an open-air party with pulsating music and several fitness classes going on simultaneously at the venue.
Hundreds of participants at this carnival were dressed to impress by donning the costume of their favourite superheroes for the first-ever Superheroes Walkathon, as part of the fitness challenge. Mostly children - dressed as superheroes - along with their parents, took part in the three-kilometre route, which took them through the scenic Dubai Marina promenade from 4pm. Water and refreshments were served all along the way. At 6pm, prizes were given to the best-dressed adult and child superhero.
Indian expat Giri was present with his six-year-old daughter Lena, who was dressed as her favourite cartoon character Elsa from Frozen, and his son Sarvesh, 10, was dressed as Superman. "It was my son who got us involved in this fitness challenge. From the first day, Sarvesh tracked the events and informed us what is happening so that we could avail the free sessions and weekend carnivals. Every year Dubai does something amazing and this year's fitness challenge is yet another unique and thrilling experience that brings people/families together. We are excited about all the thirty days and will keep going. We feel blessed to be in this city that cares about our well-being in every possible way." 
Also, with 'fitspo' sweeping across Dubai and the UAE, action sports brand XDubai formally announced three new Dubai Fitness Challenge events - Pump It, Rise with Us and the X3 Junior Triathlon - for athletes of all abilities and interests.
On Friday, the action-oriented Pump It, hosted by XDubai athlete and professional BMXer, Ola Selsjord, was a free treat for skateboarders, BMXers and scooter riders of all ages and abilities. Ola wowed and inspired the audience with the speed and tricks he performed on the pump track (ramp). 
"I have been riding every single day since I was 11. BMX is pure fun and brings your adrenaline to a point where you do not feel tired but keeps you happy and fit. This is an amazing way to have fun," said 24-year-old Ola to Khaleej Times.
Being a Sharjah resident has not dissuaded Belgium national Souad from taking up the DXB Fitness Challenge. Accompanied by her seven-year-old son Ramy who was riding a scooter on the BMX ramp like a pro, Souad said: "Ramy swims with his dad, bikes and plays soccer with his friends. Sport is important to build kids' personality and opens up their mind. We came from Sharjah to celebrate fitness in Dubai and I am hoping soon such events will start in all the emirates. Our family has taken up this challenge for thirty days and every day we go swimming or biking or hit the gym. 
In another corner of the arena, the Guiness World records were being broken by the fitness challengers every hour. Titled 'Guinness World Records Live', the section involved three different activities - most balls sorted in 30 seconds; most aerobic step-ups in 30 seconds and a maximum number of jumping jacks in 30 seconds." 
Also, part of the activities on Friday were a range of determination sports, including wheelchair assault course, boccia, sitting volleyball and wheelchair rugby. saman@khaleejtimes.com


 Top five things to do today

Fitness carnival continues 
Time: 1pm Venue: Skydive Dubai

Description: You still have a chance to participate in a variety of extreme and adventure sports and a range of 'determination Sports' including wheelchair assault course, boccia, wheelchair basketball, sitting volley-ball and wheelchair rugby.

Rise and shine with yoga
Time: 6am Venue: Skydive Dubai
Description: Join international yoga guru, Suneel Singh, and over 1,000 yogis welcoming the sun with salutations from the runway of Skydive Dubai. Hope you were able to pre-register to avoid disappointment.

 Pump it up and move

Time: 12pm-7pm Venue: Skydive Dubai
Description: the action-oriented pump It will challenge skateboarders, BMXers and those who scooter to break convention and their own personal best time as they navigate a course in front of carnival attendees. 
Mobile fitness gyms make it easy

Time: 7am-9pm Venues: Golden Mile Galleria and city centre Me'aseim

Description: take advantage of the tree mobile fitness gyms have been set up in 75 different locations including communities, parks and malls. expert trainers are also on hand to help participants get the most out of their fitness regimes.
Adrenaline rush with urban workouts

Venues: Mercato Mall and Skydive Dubai time: 7am-9pm; 1-9pm

Description: Aside from using the usual fitness equipment, including exercise bikes, cross trainers and more, the adventurous kind can also attempt 'Mobile Urban' and try skateboarding or parkour.
 



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