How we’re moving, sweating and feeling good this year
Last year, it was all about getting back into routines, but now it’s about continuing the momentum and finding the way you love to move. Spin might light one person up, Pilates another – this year is all about personal preference. The options are out there and you get to choose what feels good for you, because workouts should always be what feels right to you. Here’s how you’ll be moving in Dubai this year.
Form Fest
Image: Provided
If Pilates has quietly (and then not so quietly) taken over Dubai – your group chats, Insta feed, and Saturday mornings included – you’re not imagining it. The city’s obsession with reformers, core strength and “just one more rep” has officially reached festival level. Form Fest, Dubai’s first dedicated Pilates festival, lands February 7–8, 2026 at Mama Shelter Dubai. Created by Dubai-based instructor Freyja Rampe, the two-day event brings together local and international educators for a weekend of classes, workshops, panels and conversations – all designed to challenge, inspire and connect the city’s Pilates community.
The initial line-up includes Dubai favourite Hilal Leigh (STOTT-based sessions), mobility specialist Ava Rodriguez (The Joint Whisperer), Heba Abdelgawad (NeuroPilates co-founder) and international educator Agi Falenta (Functional Pilates). More instructors including big-name internationals will be announced via @formfest.me.
Set across multiple movement rooms, Form Fest offers reformer sessions, mat flows, technique-first workshops, panels and plenty of opportunities for enthusiasts, instructors and studio owners to connect, learn and refine their craft.
Location: Mama Shelter Dubai, Business Bay
Cost: Day passes from Dhs1,650, including access to three sessions, snacks, workshops, panels, networking, and a goodie bag
Times: February 7–8
Contact: @formfest.me
Lagree
Bodyrock Dubai | Images: Supplied
Lagree is often mistaken for Pilates, but it’s not – it’s a method all on its own. Using slow, focused movements on the Megaformer, it targets every major muscle group while keeping stress off your joints. The result is increased strength, endurance, and serious core activation – all without the strain of high-impact training. At Bodyrock, Dubai’s official home of the original LA-based Lagree method, founder Tara leads every class in a dark, high-energy studio, ensuring deep muscle engagement and a full-body shake that proves it’s working.
Location: Bodyrock, Goshi Warehouse City, Warehouse 11, 23rd St, Al Quoz, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3
Times: Monday to Saturday, 6am to 10pm; Sunday, 8am to 8pm
Contact: (056) 685 0938 @bodyrockdxb
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Full moon yoga
Image: Provided
While this isn’t a new trend, it’s one that keeps coming back. Full moon yoga continues to draw those looking for something deeper than a standard class, tapping into rhythm, reflection and atmosphere as much as movement. For anyone who loves the energy of a full moon and wants to embrace its magic, Talise Spa at Madinat Jumeirah is the place to be for a moonlit yoga practice by the sea. Flow through a 90-minute sequence on the serene beachfront, with gentle waves and a cool breeze. From mindful stretches to guided breathwork and sound healing, the session is designed to release tension, settle the mind and leave you feeling restored.
Location: Celeste Pool Beach, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah
Times: Sunday, January 4 and Monday, February 2, 7pm to 9pm
Cost: Dhs300 (includes eco-friendly yoga mat)
Booking: (04) 366 6818, or email mjtalise@jumeirah.com @jumeirahalqasr
Regenerative fitness
Image: Archive
Regenerative fitness turns recovery into an active part of your training. Instead of just taking a day off, you use science-backed methods to reduce inflammation, speed up healing, and improve performance. At UCRYO in Dubai, you can access cryotherapy chambers, infrared saunas, compression therapy, and AI-guided breathing and mindfulness programs – all designed to help the body recover smarter and faster.
Location: Villa 12, Al Wasl Rd, Umm Suqeim 3
Times: Daily, 8am to 10pm
Contact: ucryowellness.com @ucryowellness
Dubai Active Show
Image: Dubai Active Show website
If fitness is your thing – whether you train daily, teach, build brands or simply like to stay active – Dubai Active Show has something for you. Taking over Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City, the three-day event brings together live workouts on the Main Fitness Stage, action-packed sessions in the Active Arena, dedicated Yoga & Pilates studios, education-led talks, industry guests, and space for fitness entrepreneurs and brands to connect. From trying new workouts and discovering gear to learning from experts and meeting the people shaping the industry, it’s designed for everyone from beginners to professionals.
Location: Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai
Times: October 30 to November 1
Contact: dubaiactiveshow.com @dubaiactiveshow
Social wellness clubs
The rise of social wellness clubs kicked off in 2025, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. What started as a move away from old-school gyms has rolled straight into 2026, with even more spaces opening that put community first. These clubs are built around movement, recovery and connection, all under one roof. You train, you reset, you refuel – and it becomes something you look forward to as part of your routine. Some of the newest wellness clubs to open include Paus, Gray Wellness Club and Akari, with even more to keep an eye on as they launch in Dubai throughout 2026.
Strength training
While it’s been around forever, strength training isn’t going anywhere. More people are finding workouts that work for them and that they enjoy. Benefits go beyond muscle: boosting metabolism, improving posture, supporting bone health, reducing stress, and enhancing focus. Free weights, resistance machines, or circuit training – Dubai gyms make it easy to find your routine. Check out Wellfit Sport Society, which recently opened and spans the size of a football pitch.
Location: Wellfit, Sport Society, Mirdif, Dubai
Times: Mon–Fri 5.30am to 11pm; Sat & Sun 7am to 10pm
Contact: (800) 935 5348 @wellfit
Micro-workouts
Quick, intense, and highly effective, micro-workouts deliver maximum results in just 15–20 minutes. Styles like HIIT and Tabata use high-intensity bursts, metabolic conditioning, and functional movements to keep your body active long after the session ends. Short yet powerful – perfect for busy lifestyles, at any gym or at home.
Padel
Padel has gone from a niche pick to one of Dubai’s favourite ways to stay active and social. Easier than tennis but still a great cardio and agility workout, games are fast, fun, and suitable for all levels. With padel courts at fitness studios across the city – Paus is one to check out – it’s perfect for competitive energy, community, and consistent movement.
Location: Paus, Villa 12, Al Reef Villas, Al Wasl Road, Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai
Times: Daily, 7am to 10pm
Contact: (04) 266 5329 @pausclub
Images: Archive
