By Annalisa Lewis
Dubai- It always begins with a couple of glances.
The kind whose eyes lingers on you for a second longer. The kind that makes you hold your breath. The kind that makes you want to cover up or fake a call just to get away. If you think these are the feelings of a women being stalked…this is actually how women used to feel in a previously male-dominated space. Historically, gyms’ were designed for men by men. The walls were painted dark black with hints of grey designs. A huge arena designed to be unisex, yet, packed with sweaty men making the gym seem much smaller than what it was. Gyms across the world were built in a similar way, showing off men’s masculine energy- testosterone- fueled, accompanied by loud music, and everything was made to seem intimidating. Women may have been welcomed into these gyms on paper and in advertisements; however, they were never comfortable enough to go there.
A Cultural Wake-Up Call
In Dubai, a city of ambition and innovation, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Amid skyscrapers and supercars, women are finding sanctuary in pastel-colored studios scented with lavender and chamomile, accompanied by soft piano music. From Al Quoz to Jumeirah, women-only fitness centers—Yoga studios, Pilates centers, and holistic wellness spaces—are emerging, designed for women by women.
These spaces cater to working women, mothers, and students, offering not just physical fitness but mental and emotional renewal. According to Arabian Gulf Business Insight, women’s participation in fitness activities in the Middle East rose from 20% in 2019 to 31% in 2024. This cultural shift prioritizes physical and mental rejuvenation over mere aesthetics.
Aesthetic Spaces: Soft Spaces for Strong Women
Bodify, with locations in Dubai Internet City and Marina, exemplifies this new aesthetic. Its sleek, modern interior, with hushed blush-pink walls and neon pink accents, feels like a luxurious wellness lounge, not a traditional gym. Bodify offers Pilates, Aero-Stretching, High-Heels dance, yoga, and Kangoo Jump classes, taught by professionals and tailored to all fitness levels, making it approachable for beginners. Personalized training sessions are also available.
Beyond workout spaces, Bodify provides spa-like shower rooms with pinkish-purple lighting, a makeup corner with Dyson hair dryers, and secure lockers. These amenities create a seamless transition from exercise to daily life, enhancing the member experience and fostering relaxation and fulfillment. Bodify redefines fitness studios for women in the modern era.
The Culture of Slowing Down
Fitness is only part of the equation; well-being and lifestyle are equally vital. Wellness cafes like Paus; in Al Wasl, a multistory villa founded by sisters Sophiya and Sarah Faizal, offer a holistic experience. Visitors enter a cozy café with light music, ascending to a yoga studio and rooms for fitness classes and sound-bath sessions. The café’s “Matcha Mornings” foster community through discussions on philosophical questions, like “Does happiness come from having more or wanting less?” The energy at Paus; is slow, inviting, and restorative.
Tanusree Methil, a senior at Heriot-Watt University, regularly attends Paus; wellness workshops, finding them invaluable.
The demand for holistic spaces reflects broader conversations about women’s health, extending beyond physical fitness to self-care and mental well-being.
Real Women, Real Impact
Carina Kanaan started off as a dancer, more precisely as a ballet dancer, at the ripe age of two in Dubai, and later moved on to learning the art of Hip-Hop as well. You could say dance was her first love. When a 10-year-old passionate Carina moved to Toronto, she started to participate in dance competitions, up until recently. During the unspeakable era of Covid, Kanaan was around 16 years, and she found it hard to find a balance between staying home and dancing. She started to feel unhappy with her looks and her eating habits had strayed away from what it previously was and so she realized she had to gain back control of her life by eating healthier to keep her body healthy. She slowly eased herself into going for walks which made her lose about 30 pounds, which in turn made her want to continue with her fitness journey post Covid. Inspired by how her trainer helped her, Kanaan took it upon herself to help others feel good about their body as well. She acquired an ISSA certificate, turning her into a certified personal trainer. She continues to balance her university life as a dancer and a personal trainer. She stated that she came to realize that “dancers are athletes”. At such a young age, she’s already a certified trainer and professional dancer, making it a full circle moment where she got to dance in Canadian Rapper Drake’s music video for his 2025 hit song “Nokia.
Sandra “Sandy” Bouez, originally from Spain, couldn’t afford gym classes as a student and began home workouts. Athletic but plagued by knee and back injuries, she discovered Pilates, which she could do “anywhere, anytime, even in pajamas.” The more consistent she was with Pilates, the more she started to fall in love with it. Thanks to her injuries she seemed to find her passion in life.
When she first moved to Dubai, she ended up working in a very time-consuming job, due to which she couldn’t take up any side quests. However, things seemed to change last year when she was having a casual conversation with her sister. She told her sister that she needed to find her own escape. A corporate job was too heavy for her. That conversation led her to watching videos and educating herself about Mat Pilates so she could become a certified trainer. She even took an anatomy class. Bouez passed the test and now impressively balances her 9-5 job along with being a certified Mat Pilates instructor. She views Pilates as more than a means to earning money, she feels that it helps a person’s body feel stronger as well as makes them feel more comfortable in their own skin.
Being Supportive, Not Competitive
Women-only studios shift from competition to compassion. Unlike male-dominated gyms, these spaces foster support, easing performance pressure. The warm, non-judgmental environment encourages women to show up and progress at their own pace, fostering motivation and community. Classes are energetic, revitalizing stressed bodies.
Dubai’s women’s fitness culture aligns with government initiatives like the annual Dubai Fitness Challenge, promoting physical activity through yoga, marathons, and beach workouts. Companies increasingly offer gym memberships or yoga classes for female employees, signaling that well-being is a social responsibility, not just an individual goal.
A Movement Beyond MovementWe are getting to witness not just a cultural, but also a psychological transformation in women’s health, comfort, and autonomy. From the warm and inviting motivational energy of Bodfiy studios to the calm, slow, wellness and community café Paus; these spaces are redefining what fitness means for women in Dubai. They’re not just gyms with instructors telling you what to do. It’s more personal than that. These places have come to become a community, sanctuaries, support systems, as well as a places of relaxation. In a fast-paced city life that’s always reaching for the stars, such as Dubai- women have learnt to take back control by pausing, breathing and realizing the strength they have in the mind, soul and bodies, making this the strongest transformation.
