Shapes Wellness & Spa, UAE's first group fitness centre, launched at Knowledge Village, Dubai

The 20-thousand square feet facility offers 30 to 40 minute programs which are run in small groups. The equipment and programs are designed for normal people who are interested in sustainable exercise and healthy living habits. Several leading global and regional health insurance companies are endorsing the Shapes wellness programs and are contributing to corporate membership of their customers based in the free zone.

A minimum of six more facilities are planned in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait in the next 12 months at an estimated cost of US$12 to US$15 million.

Commenting on the opening of the facility Lama Younis, Program Manager, Exercise and Diet, Shapes Wellness & Spa, said, "At Shapes, a member goes through a variety of group programs to stay motivated and fit. We are very unconventional in our approach. For example, Shapes does not use treadmills, because too many people are misled into believing that a few minutes on the treadmill gets you fit, It is absurd that people pay a lot of money to health clubs and end up using a boring treadmill because they don't have an interesting group activity."

Shapes is the first wellness center in the region featuring 30-minute circuit training, golf fitness, core conditioning for healthy back, balance boards and medicine balls for better coordination. Aside from the wellness programs, Shapes offers spa facilities for beauty treatments and holistic relaxation therapy.

Endorsing the need for a facility like Shapes, Dr Abdulla Al Karam, CEO of Dubai Knowledge Village, said, "Both the education and corporate community is growing each year. Opening such a shared sport facility will further enhance the interaction between students, teachers, and professionals of the three entities: Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Knowledge Village. Also, a facility like this is important in our community as it creates a healthy environment for the mind and body

Globally, the need to solve the issue of corporate stress effectively in the shortest time possible has led to the fast track growth of the Corporate Wellness industry. "Shapes offers the best of the programs already tested and tried in the US and Australia. It is clear fancy equipment does not make you fit, It is enjoyable group activity that creates sustainable exercise habits.

Shapes has tied up with several leading corporate health insurance companies including Marsh, QIC and Aviva. Recognizing the measurable benefits of Shapes programs, these health insurance leaders are offering a variety of incentives to their corporate customers to encourage them into becoming members at Shapes.