The battle back to fitness appeared well under way in Dubai on Wednesday, as gyms opened their doors for the first time since March.
Following weeks of coronavirus restrictions, exercise fanatics returned to their workout routines in their droves.
An estimated 750 people clad in mandatory face-masks arrived at GymNation in Al Quoz over the course of the opening day.
It was a similar story elsewhere across the city, with exercise classes booked up and thousands eager to hit the running machines and free weights.
“We introduced a capacity limit of no more than 15 people per visit to align with the government measures to protect staff and customers,” said Jithu Jacob, who owns Al Quoz Gym in the city.
I've been trying to train at home, running and things, but I've lost 5kg of muscle mass and gained 2kg of fat because I've not been able to train with weights
“Usually we have three trainers in the gym at any one time but we have reduced employee numbers to avoid overcrowding."
With one trainer and one cleaner on duty, Mr Jacob said workouts were limited to “40 minutes per session” between 6am and 10pm.
Hundreds of gyms across Dubai were ordered to close on March 16 as part of government measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The policy was among numerous restrictions placed on normal business operations that included the closure of restaurants and malls.
Now, as the UAE and the rest of the world considers a controlled reopening, government regulations in the UAE are easing.
Some businesses are being allowed to return to regular hours, albeit with specific conditions attached.
In the case of Dubai gyms, users must still be kept two metres apart, personal trainers must keep to two clients per session, masks must be worn at all times and all shared equipment must be regularly sanitised.
Speaking to The National, Loren Holland, the founder of GymNation, said more than 1,500 new clients had signed up for membership during gym closures.
He said now they were reopening, some class times had been reduced to allow for additional cleaning and changing rooms would remain closed.
"We’ve got seven classes scheduled today ranging from body combat to spinning and they are all fully booked, meaning we should have more than 150 class participants on the first day back," he said.
“It’s very encouraging that members have the confidence to return to the facility and are eager to re-engage with health and fitness at a safe distance.”
“In preparation for the opening we have ensured that all our equipment is spread out.”
For Egyptian Ahmed Tony, Wednesday’s reopening of GymNation in Al Quoz, which offers more than 500 workout machines, could not have come soon enough.
“I could hardly sleep last night because I was so looking forward to getting back to my gym routine,” said the 30-year-old.
“I’ve been trying to train at home, running and things, but I’ve lost 5kg of muscle mass and gained 2kg of fat because I’ve not been able to train with weights.”
Paediatric nurse Francesca Fattoruso, 29, also said she was anxious to hit the gym again after a long hospital shift on the coronavirus frontline.
“It is odd being here during a pandemic and seeing people in face masks, but I’m used to it because of my day job,” she said.
“Working up a sweat in a face mask is not easy but it’s just something I’ll get used to.”
Egyptian Ahmed Ali, 32, was another keen fitness fanatic glad to be back in the gym.
“It is not easy remembering to keep a distance from people and working out in a mask, but it’s better than nothing,” he said.
“We just have to remember we are still in a pandemic and we need to respect the new rules.”
At Fitness First, gym members must book an exercise slot to prevent overcrowding.
Facilities can only operate at 50 per cent capacity and new partitions separate static equipment.
As Egyptian Nancy Moh prepared to return to work, she said she was shocked to discover some of her clothes no longer fitted and she weighed an extra 8kg.
“I lost 21 kilos two years ago by making changes to my diet and eating well,” said Ms Moh, an operations manager who used to weigh 111kg.
“It was not an extreme regime, just cooking without oil and eating fresh vegetables, brown rice and bread.
“It became a lifestyle so I was able to keep the weight off. When the lockdown came I lost my daily routine and was no longer walking around my workplace so the weight came back.”
Ms Moh said she now hoped to lose the so-called “corona-stone” by changing her diet, taking on nutrition advice from online business Good Habits.
Founder Carole Holditch has helped scores of people lose weight by offering heathy living advice and meal recipes.
“Nancy’s story is not uncommon, she knows how good it felt to lose weight and has since put it back on again after the lockdown period,” said Ms Holditch.
“People have not been able to exercise or go to the gym, so they may have kept their calorie intake up but without burning it off, have put on weight.”
Prior to the restrictions on public gatherings, Good Habits hosted groups of up to 20 people to share insights into healthy living.
Today, like many businesses, those meetings have moved online.
“I started with 14 people ready to do an online Zoom class, now we have more than 50,” said Ms Holditch.
“One of the biggest triggers for overeating has been boredom.”
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
The Orwell Prize for Political Writing
Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include:
- Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
- Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
- Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
- Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
- Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness'
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg and Rachel McAdams
Rating: 3/5
New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Liverpool v Manchester United - 3.30pm
Burnley v West Ham United - 6pm
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - 6pm
Manchester City v Stoke City - 6pm
Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - 6pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth - 6pm
Watford v Arsenal - 8.30pm
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Everton - 4.30pm
Southampton v Newcastle United - 7pm
Monday
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion - 11pm
RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).
UAE squad
Men's draw: Victor Scvortov and Khalifa Al Hosani, (both 73 kilograms), Sergiu Toma and Mihail Marchitan (90kg), Ivan Remarenco (100kg), Ahmed Al Naqbi (60kg), Musabah Al Shamsi and Ahmed Al Hosani (66kg)
Women’s draw: Maitha Al Neyadi (57kg)
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
More on Quran memorisation:
