Staying in shape in Dubai does not necessarily require expensive gym memberships or going outside in the summer heat. Due to rising temperatures, the emirate has converted some of its largest indoor spaces into free fitness centers, offering residents numerous opportunities for walking, running, and exercising in comfortable air-conditioned environments.
Dubai guarantees that residents will have no reason to skip workouts this summer, offering options ranging from earning rewards for walking in shopping malls to using a fully equipped gym for free.
The second series of one of the largest fitness initiatives in the Dubai community has resumed, transforming popular city shopping centers into covered tracks for walking and running. This year, Mallathon will last three months—from June 15 to September 15, 2026—and will cover six shopping centers in Dubai.
Participants can choose one of the following locations to take part: Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Dubai Festival City Mall, Deira City Centre, and Dubai Hills Mall. These venues provide a safe, air-conditioned environment that encourages physical activity during the summer, helping residents avoid the heat and integrate movement into their daily routine in comfortable indoor settings.
If just walking is not enough, you can visit Dubai Sports World, located in the Dubai World Trade Centre. It offers a free gym and a 1-kilometer indoor track for walking and running. The complex also includes dozens of sports facilities spanning 282,000 square feet with air conditioning.
It is equipped with cardio machines, strength training equipment, and free weights, allowing residents to exercise without paying membership fees. This is a convenient alternative to outdoor activities, whether it's a morning workout, an after-work session, or simply wanting to increase steps indoors.
Ibn Battuta Mall's new campaign, '12K Walk to Unlock,' adds an element of motivation by turning the mall into an indoor pedestrian path operating through the Fitze app. This promotion runs until August 1.
Visitors can download the app, join the Ibn Battuta challenge, and start walking through six themed halls of the mall: China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia, and Andalusia. Participants receive multi-level rewards upon reaching milestones of 6,000, 8,000, and 10,000 steps, which can be used in restaurants, retail stores, and entertainment venues.
As the long summer break begins in the United Arab Emirates, many parents face the annual question of how to keep children engaged, ensure they are active, and minimize screen time without spending too much money.
For a growing number of families, finding a solution is difficult. Free summer camps fill up quickly, while paid programs can cost hundreds of dirhams per week per child, making them inaccessible to some households with two or more children.
Om Mohammed, a resident of Dubai and mother of two, notes that every summer she tries to channel her children's energy into productive activities. Since they have no travel plans this year, they try to alternate between home activities, simple visits to malls or indoor venues, and attending educational and entertainment events so the children do not get bored due to the heat.
She emphasized that one trip to a mall or entertainment venue costs the family between 300 and 600 dirhams, depending on the location, activities, and number of meals. Although she managed to enroll her children in a paid camp, the compromise was evident: 'The cost is about 1000 dirhams, and it is relatively the cheapest option, although the duration is also short.'
Om Mohammed added that she considers the prices for summer camps high, especially for families with multiple children. She noted that finding a good budget camp is difficult because the cost varies greatly and can exceed 1000 dirhams per week, which is expensive for many families. She expressed a wish for more affordable options or greater support for summer camps.
Aisha Al Darmaqi, a mother of three, planned to spend her vacation simply by staying in the country and enrolling her children in summer programs. She reported that her children are registered in camps but called the prices 'exaggerated.' One family trip for her costs between 1000 and 1500 dirhams.
When both travel and structured camps put pressure on the budget, some families choose the UAE itself as their summer destination. Om Hamad, a mother of four, replaced her usual travel plans with farms, hotels, and domestic tourism. Each trip with her four children costs approximately 1000 dirhams, covering food, entertainment, and activities.
She decided not to enroll her children in camps at all, as she does not want to commit to fixed obligations and prefers to change leisure activities so the children do not get bored. Om Hamad added that if she finds camps that match the children's age and mindset, she might enroll them, but the duration must be short. This decision also makes sense to her: 'There is nothing we lack in the UAE that would make us travel abroad. Let's utilize our country and let our children see their homeland and learn more about its regions.'
For some families, the issue is not just the cost, but also the availability of spots. Maryam Al Yasi, known as Umm Anas, a mother of four from the Al Awir area in Dubai, found that she could not afford the paid options, and the free ones were unavailable. She stated: 'Our family budget does not allow us to pay. We wanted to sign up for camps, but we couldn't find spots in the free camps.'
Instead, her family plans to spend the summer settling into a new home and traveling around the country. A typical trip costs about 500 dirhams for food and games, and including basic purchases, the amount rises to 1000 dirhams. She concluded: 'We plan to take a vacation in the country and at home. Since we moved to a new house, we want to spend the vacation there and explore the surroundings of the UAE.'
As the long summer break begins in Dubai, many parents face the challenge of keeping children occupied, active, and learning amidst high temperatures. Summer camps have become a popular solution for families aiming to combine entertainment, socialization, and skill development during the holidays. The landscape of camps in Dubai has become more diverse, offering programs ranging from robotics and artificial intelligence to sports academies and theater workshops. Many camps provide flexible booking options, sibling discounts, and extended hours to meet the needs of working parents. For example, Gogo Village in Al Quoz focuses on younger children (3-9 years old) and offers crafts and creative workshops. For older children interested in technology, Pure Minds Academy is available, focusing on STEM programs, including coding, robotics, and AI.
Dubai has once again announced the introduction of flexible working hours for employees of government institutions during the summer months. This initiative is valid from June 29 to September 10 and offers two models of flexible working time. These models are designed to help government structures balance employee needs with operational requirements, ensuring business continuity.
