Our guide to sport clubs and classes in Dubai
Dubai is one of the easiest cities in the world to get active in. Free run clubs meet on the beach before sunrise, padel courts stay busy until midnight, and from October to April almost every weekend has a race, a ride or an outdoor class to sign up for. Whether you want to train for your first 10K, find a regular padel four or simply meet people, this guide shows where to start.
Run clubs and races
Run clubs are the quickest way to get fit and make friends in Dubai. Most are free, welcome every pace and meet at Kite Beach, Dubai Marina or Jumeirah Lakes Towers early in the morning or after work. Between November and February the calendar fills up with community runs, half marathons, the Dubai Marathon and Dubai Run on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Padel, football and team sports
Padel is now one of the most played sports in the UAE, with courts in clubs, hotels and malls. Many venues run beginner sessions and social games where you are matched with players at your level. Five-a-side football, social leagues, basketball, volleyball and netball are easy to join too, with a team or on your own.
Yoga, pilates and wellbeing
Studios across the city offer yoga, pilates, breathwork and sound sessions, and in the cooler months classes move outdoors to beaches, parks and rooftops. A drop-in class is the best way to try a studio before buying a pack.
Outdoor and water sports
October to April is the season for kayaking through the mangroves, paddleboarding at sunrise, hiking in the Hajar mountains and climbing. Check the minimum age, swimming ability and what is included before you book.
Free fitness during Dubai Fitness Challenge
Every November, Dubai Fitness Challenge asks everyone to move for 30 minutes a day for 30 days. Free fitness villages, including the big one on Kite Beach, run daily classes and sports courts, and the month ends with Dubai Run and Dubai Ride on Sheikh Zayed Road.
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