Six new wellness activities in the UAE: from padel tennis to ancient Chinese healing

A cyclethon and fitness classes at Dubai's Bla Bla are also on the agenda

Bla Bla Dubai is hosting To-Pilates sessions every Sunday morning. Courtesy Bla Bla

As many us tackle spring cleaning, many more are looking to overhaul their health and fitness goals. Thankfully, the UAE's studios, clubs and even restaurants are happy to oblige, as a range of new classes, treatments and deals have been announced.

Here are some of the best new wellness activities going on in the UAE at the moment.

Dubai dining destination Bla Bla introduces fitness classes

With three restaurants, more than a dozen different bars and a slide that leads to the restrooms, Bla Bla has garnered a lot of attention for being one of Dubai’s most happening new destinations.

In a far cry from its night-time vibes, the beach club at Jumeirah Beach Residences launched the Bla Bla Breakfit Club in Sunday, through which it will offer a morning Yo-Pilates session in collaboration with YoFit every Sunday.

The class is a fusion of yoga stretches with Pilates movements. It takes place from 8.45am to 9.30am, following which participants can enjoy breakfast on the terrace of restaurant Onda Nami and beach access until 6pm. ­Breakfast includes acai bowls, avocado toast, pancakes and granola.

The sessions are priced at Dh160, with a ­maximum of 25 people allowed. For details, call 058 606 3535.

Test your padel skills at Treasure Island park in Ras Al Khaimah 

Padel tennis, which is a cross between tennis and squash, and usually played as doubles, is a fun way to get fit. If you want to give it a shot, Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah has recently launched an outdoor padel court, located within the new park at Treasure Island in the North Bay.

The court is 200 square metres, and features tempered glass and artificial turf, and the outdoor location offers gorgeous water views. It is available to book between 10am and 2am, for Dh100 on weekdays and Dh200 on weekends, inclusive of racquets.

To make reservations WhatsApp on 050 602 3048, or follow @­Padelbeachrak on Instagram.

Smash Padel & Fitness Club to open in Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah

Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah is also getting its own padel tennis destination. Smash Padel & Fitness Club is scheduled to launch at Golden Mile Galleria Building 1 on Wednesday, March 31.

The 1,858-square-metre club will feature indoor and outdoor workout areas, although its key attraction will be its three padel tennis courts. The facility will also have personal trainers, boot camps, group classes and children’s classes.

Smash is running a competition giving 10 winners a free gym membership for a month. To stand a chance to win, enter your details on www.smash.ae.

Sign up for free classes by Rove Hotels and Enhance Fitness

For those who enjoy working out beachside, budget-friendly Rove Hotels has teamed up with Dubai wellness company Enhance Fitness to launch a series of free sessions, to take place over the next three Saturdays.

On March 20, Enhance will host a women-only kick-boxing session at Rove La Mer beach. On March 27, there will be a sunset yoga session. Finally, on April 3, there will be a shadowboxing session. The sport, which is used as training for combat sports, centres around throwing punches in a way that makes for a full-body workout.

All workouts take place at 8.30am, except for the sunset yoga, which begins at 5pm. Participants also get a two-for-one offer on Rove’s Dh59 breakfast at The Daily.

For bookings, call 04 561 9999.

Try a body treatment based on an ancient Chinese healing art

Those dealing with postural aches or insomnia may stand to gain from the healing touch of therapist and instructor Nir Levi. His method is based on the healing art of Anma-Ampuku, which originated in China 5,000 years ago.

The session involves a full-body treatment wherein Levi uses stretches, exercises and various types of stimulation on the qi or acupuncture points of the body.

The treatments, which will be available throughout March at Dubai's Seva Experience, can be used as a preventive measure, as well as a way to deal with conditions, from cold and headaches to digestive and breathing issues and insomnia.

One session is priced at Dh850, while a package of four cost Dh3,060. For details, call 058 543 5888.

Gear up for Damac Properties’ first cyclethon 

The property developer is hosting its first “cyclethon” in association with the Dubai Sports Council.

Tour De Damac will take place on Saturday, March 20, at the Akoya community in Dubai. It will feature a 60-kilometre race for adults and 6.8km race for children between 5 and 15 years of age. There are separate categories for men, women, and Emirati men and women.

The winner in each adult category gets a cash prize of Dh5,000. Registrations, priced at Dh145 for adults and Dh95 for children, can be done at www.hopasports.com.