Dubai is a fast-paced, cosmopolitan city where residents are constantly on the go. In recent years, the city has become imbued with an LA-inspired wellness trend, where green smoothies, cult-like fitness communities, and boutique workout spaces are found aplenty. However, with a lack of pedestrianised streets and brutally hot summers, it can be difficult to stay active in Dubai outside of the traditional gym setting. In recent years, a number of luxury new developments and communities have risen to meet this market gap, crafting spaces and amenities designed for upscale, active living.

One such development is Eden House, which is often described as an ‘experience’ as much as a home. This rapidly growing project by H&H Developers offers residents a range of bespoke fitness facilities through the coveted Eden House Wellness brand. These include state-of-the-art gyms, a spa with sauna and steam rooms, personal trainers, group workout classes, and more. A number of Eden House projects, such as Eden House The Canal and Eden House The Park, are ideally situated along the Dubai Water Canal, providing kilometres of waterfront boardwalk for running, jogging, and cycling.

Beyond Eden House, Dubai has a number of incredible gated villa communities with vast spaces of greenery for outdoor active living, from Emirates Hills to Al Barari. A standout community for active living is Dubai Hills Estates in Mohammed Bin Rashid City. This sprawling, master-planned community is centred around an 18-hole Championship golf course and has a 54 km cycling track winding through the estate. The area is also home to a number of incredible gyms including the womens-only boutique FitnGlam Superclub, F45, and UN1T.

Not far from Dubai Hills Estate is Jumeirah Golf Estates, which is home to superb fitness facilities and boutique, home-grown gyms like To Be Determined. With leafy, pedestrianised streets and expansive green spaces, Jumeirah Golf Estates is a stunning community for a more relaxed sense of active living.

For a more private active living experience, many of Dubai’s finest villas and mansions are fitted with their own state-of-the-art gyms. Palm Jumeirah leads the way here: some of the most coveted villas along the Fronds have expansive private gyms, pools large enough to swim laps in, and private beach access for idyllic walks or runs along the shore. A global destination, the Palm is also home to a range of world-class gyms, including ChalkGym, Chalk Training Ground, and a number of yoga studios.