Workout to boost family bonds

Rena Rzayeva says the challenge helps her spend quality time with her husband and son.

Dubai - Designating time even for quick but fun family workouts is an efficient way to nurture family bonds and boost activity levels simultaneously.

Doing physical activities or routine exercises will not just improve one's health but can also be an inexpensive way to boost family bonding.
Fifteen-year Dubai resident Rena Rzayeva, 42, from Azerbaijan, tells Khaleej Times that designating time even for quick but fun family workouts is an efficient way to nurture family bonds and boost activity levels simultaneously.
Just by running, walking or jogging side by side; hiking, cycling or playing tennis together, her relationship with her husband of 14 years and their seven-year-old son has been getting healthier and livelier with every calorie they collectively burn.
Needless to say, Rena's family has been living an active lifestyle, and accepting the 30X30 Dubai Fitness Challenge, has given her family more goals to achieve. She signed up for the challenge under her company name and has also downloaded the fitness app to closely monitor her physical activities.
"As a family, we play tennis together. Our other form of bonding is cycling on weekend mornings," says Rena, who lives in Motor City and works as a fuel procurement manager for a UAE carrier.
"Tennis practice is two to three times a week and would last 45 minutes per session. I also join in a couple of one-hour body pump classes. On my 'rest days' - to comply with the 30X30 challenge - I do brisk walk or take 10,000 steps," Rena adds.
She says that the weather right now is perfect to exercise and one doesn't have to go strictly to the gym. One can just head to the beach to walk for half an hour. There are also many activities lined up throughout the month like the one at Skydive Dubai where she will go this weekend.
Rena adds that doing physical activities is habit-forming. Being busy at work, school home or doing activities should not hinder anyone to exercise. "What's 30 minutes in your 24 hours daily, anyway?," she asks.
Moreover, Rena hopes that the 30X30 Fitness Challenge will not be just a one-off activity. "It should be an annual activity or better yet, a movement, so it will become a habit for residents to exercise regularly," she underlines.
She says that Dubai life is so busy yet many people are often sedentary and there are many offerings like sumptuous brunches that add to their 'saddlebags'. "But I hope the 30X30 Challenge will kick start a healthy lifestyle for everyone. This is very good for the residents and the image of the city," she concludes.

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