Even in a city as energetic and inspiring as Dubai, falling into a workout rut is something everyone experiences at least once. No matter how much we want to continue working on our health and fitness, doing the same exercises time after time can make it very difficult to don your kit and stick to your routine.
With the 54th UAE National Day on the horizon, there’s no time like the present to get your workout mojo back and celebrate in style.
If you’re looking for some inspiration to work out, whether it be specific cardio workout ideas or more general tips and tricks to keep things fresh, we’ve put together some pointers to help you keep plugging away at your goals.
Without further ado…
Why refreshing your workout routine matters
There are a bunch of reasons why refreshing your workout routine is important. Let’s cover some of them.
Challenge different muscle groups
One of the biggest benefits of changing up your routine with a variety of workouts is that you can effectively target different muscle groups. This is particularly true if your exercise regimen consists of a lot of gym work, as isolating muscles and exercising them individually could mean you are unintentionally missing out certain areas of your body.
Preventing injury
Another benefit of switching it up is allowing other muscles to rest and recover effectively. If you run a full body routine several days a week, chances are you’re not giving adequate recovery time to your muscles.
Overworked muscles = strains, sprains and tears. Give your body some grace and work out a different muscle group to come back even stronger next time.
Reducing mental fatigue
Fatigue isn’t just reserved for your body – your mind can just as easily get tired of a groundhog day workout.
Unless you’re David Goggins, discipline alone isn’t enough to carry you through a lifetime of exercise and active living – we need to enjoy our workouts and make physical activity something to look forward to. Switch up your exercises, locations and timings to keep things fresh for both your body and your mind.
Try something new: UAE-specific workout options
If you’ve always kept the same routine and are starting to tire of it, or perhaps you’re just getting started on your fitness journey, we’ve got some suggestions when it comes to UAE fitness.
Whether you’re looking to go solo or would like to join a group workout, read on for some fresh workout inspo.
Solo workout ideas
The UAE fitness scene is packed with scenic spots to get your sweat on. Taking a sunset run on Kite Beach or getting your steps in at sunrise across JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) doesn’t even feel like a workout. Before you know it you’ll have hit your distance and you’ll probably want to keep going for even longer.
If jogs aren’t your thing, head out to the dunes for a desert hike or some sand sprints HIIT. The UAE’s magnificent landscape makes it the perfect place to get active and explore, away from the mundane.
If you prefer something a little more organised, many gyms throughout Dubai offer stunning rooftop facilities. You can’t beat a blast on the treadmill or dip in an infinity pool hundreds of metres in the air. If you haven’t tried it, this is one sure to revitalise your enthusiasm for working out.
Group exercise
If you get a lot of energy from other people or need a little extra motivation to stick to your workout routine, group exercise is a great option to bring the fun back to your workouts.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are filled with great gyms and studios, offering all kinds of sessions from HIIT and spinning to dance and combat sports. Or, if you’re looking for something a little less intense, join a Pilates or yoga class.
Whichever type of class you choose, signing up for one not only helps you stick to your routine (as you can’t just say ‘I’ll do it later’) but it also gives you the chance to meet new people and make an event out of your fitness efforts.
If this sounds like something you’re interested in, take a look at the next Innermost: Walk Club. Just bring some suitable walking footwear, a reusable water bottle and an appetite for socialising. We even round off the walk with a drink or bite to eat at the end, if you’re up for it.
Mix it up
If you’ve finessed a fine-tuned gym routine, it can be tricky to break out of the mould and try something new but if you’re starting to lose motivation for your workouts, that’s a surefire sign that something needs to change.
That’s not to say you need to ditch your established routine, but try mixing it up and throwing some other forms of exercise in there. If you do most of your exercise inside an air conditioned gym, try a run along the beach (maybe before sunrise or after sunset to avoid the hottest periods of the day), go for a cycle or swim, or try your hand at rock climbing.
Whatever it may be, keep your body guessing and your mind stimulated to get the most out of your workouts and stay on track for the long term.
Have something to work towards
For many people, working out with no defined end goal can make motivation hard to come by. Obviously we all know the real ‘end goal’ is a happy, healthy life, but it can be hard to see that in the shorter term. One way to tackle this problem is to sign yourself up for an organised event, like a 5/10k run, or maybe even a marathon if you fancy a bigger challenge.
There are endless options when it comes to organised events, including the iconic HYROX (coming to Abu Dhabi for the first time in 2025), with many other beginner-friendly events featuring fun challenge elements like inflatable obstacle courses. The Dubai 30x30 Fitness Challenge is coming up too, just saying…
These events are also a great opportunity to connect with other likeminded people. She Runs is now the largest women’s event in Dubai and is a symbol of women’s progress. This is just one example but the uniting power of sport and exercise is something to celebrate and make the most of throughout your fitness journey.
As a bonus - if you know you’re t-minus 6 weeks out from the big event, you might find getting laced up for that morning run just that bit easier.
Fuel your body
Last but certainly not least, if you’re struggling with motivating yourself for your workouts it might be time to take a look at how you’re fuelling your body.
With the best will in the world, it’s hard to get revved up for a tough workout if your body is seriously lacking in the nutrients it needs to work at its highest level. However, with a busy schedule it can also be very difficult to maintain a balance diet which gives your body everything it needs.
If you’re looking to up your protein intake, take a look at our range of protein powders – we even have some vegan nutrition options, like The Health Protein, if that’s your bag.
If you’re good on protein but need a little pre-workout boost, check out The Energy Booster to help you push yourself even further.
Shake it up and keep moving forward
All this goes to say you might not need a complete workout overhaul - just a few small changes can make a big difference to your consistency and enjoyment of exercising.
So, switch up your workouts, book that event and get yourself set with some high-quality nutrition – your body will thank you for it.
