New InnerFight gym to open in Dubai's Studio City

The 650-square-metre facility is relocating from Al Quoz, after it was forced to close down amid the pandemic

Marcus Smith is opening a new branch of InnerFight at Studio City. Courtesy InnerFight

The man who ran 30 marathons in 30 days is opening a new gym in Dubai, it has been announced.

Marcus Smith, the extreme athlete, who, in 2018, was hit by a lorry while cycling in Fujairah, has revealed plans to open a new InnerFight fitness club on Wednesday, July 1.

The 650-square-metre facility will be located in Olivara Residences and Park, Studio City, and will feature two gym floors, a yoga studio, outdoor swimming pool and a paleo-inspired cafe.

The class schedule will run from 5.30am to 9pm, with sessions on functional fitness, circuit training, weightlifting, gymnastics, obstacle course racing, endurance and yoga. Personal training, nutrition coaching and mentoring programmes will also be available.

“We have also tweaked our programmes to cater to a larger demographic that includes more women and children, which is super-cool for us,” Smith said in a statement.

'The last three months have been hugely challenging'

This new location will replace Smith's old facility, which was based in Al Quoz and was forced to permanently close in April because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But he’s still optimistic about his brand’s new home.

“Moving into a residential community with our community-based fitness model is super-exciting,” he said. “There are a number of people in the area that weren’t able to travel to our old location, but are now able to join as we are right on their doorstep."

“The last three months have been hugely challenging, and we certainly weren’t spared from it. I had to make the difficult decision to end our lease agreement early and move out of the gym in order to pay my team’s salaries.

"It’s been a hard road for a lot of people, so I am looking forward to welcoming our community back and giving them the support they need."

What's the deal at InnerFight?

Smith founded the company InnerFight about 12 years ago, to help people develop their fitness through functional strength, conditioning classes and endurance coaching. He’s also the founder of paleo meal delivery service Smith St Paleo, which is what the cafe at the new gym will be based on.

“We’ve expanded our product range in the cafe to include coffee, smoothies and smoothie bowls,” Smith added.

For now, InnerFight is offering a summer package deal to new members of Dh4,200, which includes: three months of unlimited access to classes; six seminars covering nutrition, goal setting, heat training, running, family fitness and endurance sports; a monthly body analysis and consultation with a coach; 20 per cent off InnerFight apparel; and 10 per cent off a meal plan.

Class packages are also available, with prices starting from Dh595 for five sessions.

The gym will adhere to UAE government guidelines regarding safety measures to help stop the spread of Covid-19. This includes regular sanitisation and a 10-minute break between classes in order to disinfect shared spaces.