Life

by Aminath Sirajudeen
2 hours ago

In a city that champions empowerment, luxury, and wellness, Dubai’s female-only gyms offer more than just fitness. They provide sanctuary, sisterhood, and cutting-edge training tailored to women’s needs.
Whether you seek high-intensity workouts, holistic wellness, or a glamorous social fitness experience, these six elite destinations redefine what it means to train in style.
Balans Studios

 This Dubai Marina sanctuary elevates women’s wellness through curated yoga, Pilates and barre sessions in a serene, Instagram-worthy space. Beyond workouts, Balans specializes in premium recovery with ice baths and saunas, while its minimalist-chic café serves artisanal matcha and superfood smoothies. Every design detail – from custom equipment to signature mirrors – creates an oasis for both intense training and complete rejuvenation.
@balansstudios, Dubai Marina, Dubai.
FitSocial

FitSocial isn’t just a gym, it’s a lifestyle destination. Designed for women who want to prioritize wellness without compromising on luxury, it is Dubai’s largest female-only gym. Thefacility boasts an on-site salon for post-workout hair, nails, and makeup touch-ups. You can cool off in the olympic size swimming pool, indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment, or simply unwind in a space crafted for both fitness and relaxation. Whether you want to break a sweat or indulge in self-care, FitSocial ensures you leave feeling your absolute best.
@fitsocial.ae, Abu Hail, Dubai.
Luna Ladies Gym

Founded to provide women with a safe, judgment-free space to train, Luna x CrossFit Moon is a revolutionary concept where women can exercise comfortably, whether they choose to wear a hijab or not. Thoughtful design elements, such as covered windows and skylights, ensure privacy while maintaining a bright, energizing atmosphere. Beyond fitness, Luna fosters community with a sauna, plunge pool, and an inviting coffee shop, making it a haven for both workouts and post-workout socializing.
@lunaladiesgym, Al Qouz, Dubai.
Zabeel Ladies Club

For those who demand exclusivity, Zabeel Ladies Club delivers an unmatched luxury fitness experience. The Jude Fitness Wing features top-tier cardio and free weights areas, while group classes (capped at 20 for personalized attention) cater to every training style. Whether you’re sculpting, sweating, or seeking a high-energy class, this club blends sophistication with performance.
@zabeelladiesclub, Za’abeel 1, Dubai.
Curvalicious

Born from founder Iman Al-Omrani’s own post-pregnancy fitness journey, Curvalicious is more than a gym – it’s a movement. This boutique studio champions women at every stage of their wellness path, offering tailored classes in yoga, Pilates, boxing, and more. With a focus on empowerment and personalized attention, it’s the perfect place to start, or elevate, your fitness story.
@curvalicious, Nadd Al Hamar, Dubai.
FitnGlam

Helena Hijazi, entrepreneur and mother of four, created FitnGlam to fuse fitness with luxury. Beyond its premium equipment and boutique-style classes, the gym features an in-house spa for post-workout rejuvenation. Here, empowerment isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a philosophy woven into every session, ensuring women leave stronger, both inside and out.
@fitnglamgym, multiple locations across Dubai.
FitHub Woman

Spanning an impressive 36,000 sq. ft., FitHub Woman is a fitness utopia offering everything from CrossFit to high-energy HIIT sessions. But the experience doesn’t end with your workout – their boutique hub features curated activewear, including pieces from TULUA, a leading modest fitness brand. It’s a space where performance meets style, designed for women who want it all.
@fithubwoman, Al Mizhar, Dubai.
Dubai’s female-only gyms are more than just places to train – they’re communities, sanctuaries, and celebrations of women’s strength. Whether you’re after a high-octane workout, holistic wellness, or a touch of post-exercise glamour, these six destinations deliver excellence at every turn.
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Life

by Ruman Baig
1 hour ago

You can now plan your 2024 escapades in advance as The United Arab Emirates has your back with a lineup of public holidays approved by the UAE Cabinet.
Here’s a sneak peek into the festivities awaiting you throughout the year.

New Year’s Day Extravaganza
Kick off the year with a leisurely break! January 1st marks a day off for both private and public sectors, setting the stage for a rejuvenating long weekend. With January 2nd as the official return to work, it’s the perfect time to recharge before diving into the year’s challenges.
Eid Al Fitr: A Feast after Ramadan
Following the sacred month of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr beckons in 2024. Astronomical predictions suggest Ramadan will commence on March 11, 2024, with Eid Al Fitr expected from April 8 to April 12. If the crescent moon plays hide and seek, brace yourself for a seven or nine-day break, depending on your workweek.
Arafat Day and the Journey of Pilgrimage
June 15, 2024, stands sacred as Arafat Day, marking the pivotal second day of Hajj. It’s a Saturday, setting the stage for spiritual reflection and a serene weekend. Right on its heels is Eid Al Adha, celebrating Ibrahim’s devotion and divine intervention. Dhu Al-Hijjah 10 to 12 will be days of reverence and festivities.
Hijri New Year: A Fresh Start
July 7, 2024, witnesses the Hijri New Year, symbolizing the commencement of a new lunar Hijri year. It’s a Sunday, offering a serene day to reflect on beginnings and aspirations for the months ahead.
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday: A Day of Reflection
On September 15, 2024, Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi, commemorating Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday, takes center stage. A Sunday celebration, it offers a day of reflection and gratitude.
Commemoration Day and UAE National Day: A Grand Finale
As the year winds down, December 1 marks Commemoration Day, a time to honor the nation’s heroes. But the festivities don’t end there! UAE National Day on December 2 and 3 extends the jubilation into a glorious four-day break. Whether you’re enjoying a two-day weekend or more, it’s a perfect opportunity to revel in the spirit of unity and national pride.
Mark your calendars and get ready for a year filled with cultural celebrations, moments of reflection, and well-deserved breaks. The UAE’s public holidays in 2024 promise a perfect blend of tradition, spirituality, and leisure.
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Images: Instagram: @visitdubai and @visitabudhabi  More

After borders closed to tourists just under four months ago, it’s refreshing to be able to say that visitors in Dubai are officially welcome back. As of today, July 7, borders are officially open to tourists. Where visitors may be from is another question, as with the relaunching of flights, there’s over 50 possible cities […] More

Welcome to EW‘s weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
This week we chat with prominent Dubai-based chef and Masterchef Bulgaria judge Silvena Rowe. Hailing from Bulgaria, Chef Rowe has a passion for Ottoman cuisine. Having begun her career in London when she was 19, Chef Rowe is now based in Dubai having opened Nassau – a Mediterranean restaurant located in Jumeirah Golf Estates – in 2019.

EW sat down with Chef Rowe to find out more about her impressive career history and what made her want to enter the realm of cuisine.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I can’t say that I loved school at all, I was very happy to be there because of my friends, results were always high, but I did because it the thing to do, so very difficult to say what I loved most but for sure was the social aspect, the interactions with my fellow students, what I loved the most my lunch at the school canteen, always delicious, I thought!
What was your first job?

I worked as a social worker in London with abused children in a home. The best part was cooking with and for them in the home’s kitchen.
What inspired you to become a chef?
Pure greed for food, I love eating and creating new dishes, I think about food all the time, I understood very early that one of the incredible effects that food has on all of us, not just from the point of you socialising, but for our physical and mental health. You are what you eat.

What are the key elements of your role?
I run all the action, by creating the restaurant concept, design collaboration, recipes, training, new menus, new food concepts and working as a team is essential.
Talk us through your daily routine.
I wake up early, after usually 9 to 10 hours of sleep as I like to sleep early. I have a biohacking and superfood routine daily, which consists of certain foods that target what I need to address in my biome. I either do fitness walking, rowing or yoga. Then it’s a trip to the restaurants, meetings, for few months of the year, I film Masterchef, so than I am a lot in the studios, filming days are long, but I still try and keep my morning routine. Sleep is always what I protect the most, along with eating the foods that I need to eat, plus the exercise.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
Don’t think of how much money you can make, nevertheless apply your passion and all you have to bring enjoyment, pleasure and health to all that will eat your food.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Have no expectations.
And what is the worst?
To oversell and overrate myself! Chefs are fantastic, but let’s be honest here, we are not doctors, nurses, teachers, fireman, we are not saving the world.
What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
Still is… being a woman in a man’s world, having to work with so many chefs from different nationalities, some will never accept taking orders from a woman chef. It’s a cultural thing. To try and minimise emotion in the kitchens, because it’s what is often used against us women. So rather than minimise, I reinvent and express emotion in a different way.
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Images: Supplied More

In a city built on global influences, Dubai’s dining scene continues to blur borders. This season, a new wave of restaurants is taking the idea of escapism even further — offering spaces that don’t just serve international cuisine, but immerse you in it. From interiors that echo far-flung destinations to menus rooted in regional traditions, […]
The post 15 new restaurants in UAE that feel like a mini escape abroad appeared first on Emirates Woman. More