From puppy pilates to kangoo jumps, have fun while getting fit at one of these unique classes…

Getting the motivation to work-out is tough enough. With summer now upon us, most of us are regretting going up for a third round of pasta at brunch last weekend.

So if you’re looking to switch up your work out routine, and have fun while you’re at it, you’ve come to the right place.

Here are 12 unique fitness classes to try in Dubai.

Animal Flow

They say you should train like a beast, well at MeFitPro, you really do. Animal Flow is a workshop which will train you in how to move your body like an animal, giving you better mobility, improving strength and endurance. Level one is a two-day course designed to teach you the basics in animal movements, while level two develops further with moves such as scorpion sweeps, crocodile rolls and how to move like a bear, leopard or crocodile.

Animal Flow, MeFitPro, next level 1 course will be on Aug 2 and starts from Dhs1819. Tel: (04) 323 3232. mefitpro.com

Cl1mb

Cl1mb is one of three classes introduced by new gym studio 1Beat. This class uses an interesting machine called a versaclimber to give you a low impact high intensity workout which is great for burning fat without straining your joints. The vertical machine has hand and foot pedals which move simultaneously to mimic a climbing movement, whilst staying stationary.

Cl1mb, 1Beat, One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dhs120. Tel: (04) 259 3333. 1beatdxb.com

The Trip

If you think all spinning classes are the same, think again. The Trip at GFX is an immersive experience designed to take you on a journey in a virtual reality world (think Mario Kart on a bike). With powerful music and a distracting visual display, you’re likely to forget that your legs are on fire.

The Trip, GFX, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Dhs95. Tel: (04) 425 5940. gfx.ae

BounceFIT

You might have heard of rebound exercise, which usually involves mini trampolines to burn calories without putting pressure on the joints. Bounce Dubai takes this to a whole new level, by offering high intensity classes within its trampoline park. Each one-hour class claims to burn up to 1000 calories (but it’s so fun you won’t even notice) with 10-minutes of bouncing equating to 30 minutes of running.

BounceFIT, BounceInc, Al Quoz, Dubai, Dhs105. Tel: (04) 321 1400. bounce.ae

PRAMA

Despite only being 45 minutes per class, PRAMA can burn up to 1000 calories with its high-intensity programme. The circuit-style training uses lights, sound and sensors to have you running and jumping around the studio in no time. Those with a competitive streak will enjoy this class, particularly if you’re a fan of the ‘wack-a-mole’ arcade games. Regular training will improve muscle memory, endurance, strength, balance, speed, agility, reaction time and overall fitness.

PRAMA, Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dhs75. Tel: (04) 457 3330. fairmont.com

TOA

TOA (the outdoor athlete) is a 45-minute high-intensity class based on adopting primal movement patterns (as the cavemen and women of yesteryear would). The idea is to build your strength and agility with functional movements so that you could survive outdoors, or maybe on a deserted island.

TOA, Tribefit, Silverene Tower, Dubai Marina, Dhs94. Tel: (800) 87423. tribefit.com

Puppy Pilates

Reform Social & Grill and The Animal Agency come together to host regular puppy pilates classes for Dubai residents who love spending time with their furry friend. Going for a run with your pooch is old news, this pilates session even includes a free post-class coffee, soft drink or wine – sounds good to us!

Puppy Pilates, Reform Social & Grill, The Lakes, Emirates Hills, Dhs95. facebook.com/animalagencyuae

Hip Hop Cardio

Expect gym vibes in a nightclub atmosphere, complete with a live Hip-Hop DJ while you learn to dance like a hip-hop pro and burn some serious calories at this fun dance class. It takes place twice a week in Business Bay’s exchange tower, with a third class every Saturday in Dubai Marina. It’s open for all abilities – so no worries if you’re a beginner.

Hip Hop Cardio, Exchange Tower, Business Bay, 8.30pm to 9.30pm, Mondays and Wednesdays. Tel: (050) 370 4462. Facebook.com/Hip-hop-cardio

Cardiolates

While cardio and pilates might not be two words you immediately put together, you will after trying out Cardiolates at Pilates Academy Dubai in JLT. The one-hour class, taken by pilates instructor and studio founder Cloe Sommadossi, is a sweat-busting session of pilates done on trampolines. It begins with a basic core warm up that prepares the muscles (and feet) for the workout ahead. It’s followed by a thirty minute, high-intensity class which combines the benefits of cardiovascular bouncing and the core strengthening of pilates. You’ll spend a lot of time trying to keep up with Chloe, and also a lot of time trying to master all the one-legged moves (trampolining on one-foot is not easy), but burning 400+ calories in a class, will have us bouncing back.

Cardiolates at Pilates Academy Dubai, Jumeirah Bay X2 Tower, Cluster X, JLT, various days and timings, Dhs120. Tel: (056) 798 4655. pilatesacademydubai.com 

Float UAE

This forty minute HIIT workout takes place on water, and travels to some of Dubai’s top pools to do so. Open to men, women and children of all ages, expect to find yourself jumping, squating, lunging and lots of splashing as you navigate the high-intensity class over water. In Dubai, classes currently take place at The Westin Habtoor City and Intercontinental Dubai Marina.

Float UAE, various locations and times, Dhs55. Tel: (058) 256 4735. floatuae.com

Swing yoga

Define Dubai

Swing yoga is a stretching, strengthening and flexibility-boosting class, where you use silk hammocks. Class starts off with some mat-based warm up moves, before hopping into the hammock. Some of the poses involve using the hammock as a prop – for example, stretching out your hamstrings by having one heel in the silk and the other planted on the floor. As you build your confidence, you can even get into some backbends and inversions.

Define, Silverene Tower, Dubai Marina, Dubai, daily 7am to 9pm, Dhs110. Tel: (04) 421 6377. dubai.definebody.com

Kangoo jumps

What is Kangoo jumps you ask? Well, modeled on kangaroo movements, kangoo jumps are done on specialist shoes which generate a trampoline-like feeling of weightlessness. As well as burning up to 1000 calories per hour, the classes reduce joint stress, increase endurance and strength and improve posture and coordination. Don’t expect to be a pro from the start, this is one that takes time to get the hang of, and you’ll spend a good portion of the class in fits of laughter.

Kangoo Club Dubai, Iconic Fitness, Dream Tower, Dubai Marina, 8.30pm, Sunday and Tuesday, from Dhs150. Tel: (050) 644 6562. Facebook.com/KangooEmiratesClub

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