Follow Health Club Management on Twitter Like Health Club Management on Facebook Join the discussion with Health Club Management on LinkedIn
FITNESS, HEALTH, WELLNESS

Latest news

Fitness First Middle East reopens Dubai Media City as flagship wellness destination

Fitness First reveals makeover of iconic Dubai club
Dubai Media City is now open again after shuttering in 2021
Facilities include a recovery zone, members lounge and a bouldering wall
CEO Mark Buchanan says its a “beacon for the future of fitness across the Middle East”

Fitness First Middle East has reopened its iconic Dubai Media City site, which closed in 2021, as a flagship wellness destination with fitness and recovery facilities.

“This reopening is more than just a new club launch,” says Mark Buchanan, CEO of Fitness First Middle East. “It celebrates a space that has meant so much to our members and the wider fitness community, we have brought it to life again with innovation, thoughtful design and experiences centred entirely around our members.

“Returning to a place that has shaped so many journeys is always special and when it comes back stronger, fresher, and fully reimagined, the impact is unforgettable. This reopening captures the essence of Fitness First today – honoring our legacy, fostering community, embracing innovation and promoting wellbeing. It is a club built to inspire, to energise and to stand as a beacon for the future of fitness across the Middle East.”

The offering includes a dedicated Reformer Pilates Studio, an immersive cycling studio with screen technology, a boxing zone, a multi-purpose group exercise studio, fully equipped cardio and strength areas, a free weights section, a functional freestyle zone, and an outdoor training area.

Also on offer is a swimming pool, an indoor bouldering wall and an extensive class programme including Zumba, Les Mills, Fitness First’s water-based programmes and virtual workouts on demand. Fitness First’s MyCoach programme provides personalised, advanced coaching to help members maximise results.

The recovery zone features infrared saunas, cold plunge pools, compression therapy, Hyperice recovery tools, and professional sports therapy services. There is also a lounge and nutritious health bar for members to relax and connect.

To celebrate the launch, Fitness First is offering an exclusive limited-time promotion, with up to three months complimentary for new members. Media City members will also gain access to every Fitness First club across the region.

Owned and operated by Landmark Group in the Middle East and North Africa, Fitness First has 43 clubs across 34 locations in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar and has been operational in the region for more than 20 years.

Related news

The HFA’s annual report shows the global fitness industry is resilient and poised for growth

20 Aug 2025
The 2025 HFA Global Report, which looked at almost 30 markets, shows that around the ...
Fitness First Middle East has reopened its iconic Dubai Media City site, which closed in 2021, as a flagship wellness destination with fitness and recovery facilities.
HAF,FIT,IND,PTS,HCMS,SAB
2025/THUMB615-356909_478171_926263.jpg
Latest News
Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional reformer movements ...
Latest News
The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch ...
Latest News
Girls in the UK are missing out on 280 million hours of sport every year ...
Latest News
According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes of ...
Latest News
Everlast Gyms expands its footprint outside of the UK this month with the imminent launch ...
Latest News
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of  Physical activity guidelines: ...
Latest News
Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and wellness ...
Latest News
The Republic of Ireland will become the latest market in PureGym’s expanding international portfolio, with ...
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Social fitness the missing link to member engagement, according to a new Myzone report
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
David Lloyd is stepping up its commitment to women’s health as it continues to explore what fit-for-purpose looks like for the female population
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Starpool supports Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs, says Riccardo Turri
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Greg Bradley looks at the shift towards strength training in gyms and advises on how operators can create the ultimate training environment
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Find out how your gym can tap into the corporate wellness boom
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
SnowDome Fitness has added 50 per cent more space with cutting-edge Technogym solutions
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Third Space partnered with IndigoFitness to deliver a bespoke training space for its new club at The Whiteley
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
EGYM has opened a new HQ in Paternoster Square, London and revealed a range of new launches
HCM promotional features
HCM magazine
As the 20th State of the Industry Report is released, LeisureDB has rebranded to Evolve, as Kath Hudson reports
HCM magazine
Lisa Starr tries the Ammortal Chamber to see whether layering 10 modalities into one experience really delivers more
HCM magazine
Would you stop selling memberships to prevent your club getting overcrowded? How do you strike the balance between maximising profits and prioritising the member experience? Kath Hudson talks to the experts
HCM magazine
The fitness industry is mourning the passing of Les Mills, a founding father of fitness, as Kath Hudson reports
HCM magazine
HCM People

Shaun Grove

Owner, Stride Fitness
My goal was to invest in where fitness is going, not where it’s already been
Opinion
promotion
Strength training has moved from the margins to the mainstream.
Opinion: Building smarter strength spaces for today’s operators
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Legends never die: four legends, four philosophies of life
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod.
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Introducing a new era of Nautilus Leverage
Strength training has never been more important for member retention, facility differentiation and long-term commercial success.
Company profiles
Company profile: Energym
At Energym, we’re redefining the role of fitness in a sustainable future. Our award-winning British ...
Company profiles
Company profile: Peak Pilates UK<br>(distributed by Gymkit UK)
Peak Pilates, founded in the US in the early 1990s and now part of Mad ...
Supplier Showcases
Supplier Showcase - Future-proofing
Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
Featured press releases
Speedflex (UK press release: Inclusive Fitness in action: The Speedflex Blade at Gym Possible
Following the successful installation of the Speedflex Blade at Gym Possible, the UK based charity gym dedicated to making exercise accessible for people with physical disabilities, the innovative training solution has quickly become one of the facility’s
Featured press releases
BLK BOX press release: Inside the Player Gym at The Open, equipped by BLK BOX
The performance facility at Royal Birkdale gives the world’s leading golfers access to strength, conditioning, mobility and recovery equipment throughout Championship week.
Directory
Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Aquaform s.r.l.: Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Lockers
Crown Sports Lockers: Lockers
Spa and beauty equipment
Living Earth Crafts: Spa and beauty equipment
Hot tubs
MSpa International Ltd: Hot tubs
Fitness tracking platform
SpiviTech: Fitness tracking platform
Industrial washing machines
Miele Company Limited: Industrial washing machines
Property & Tenders
Stratford, East London.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Property & Tenders
Y Felinheli, LL56 4QN
Newmark
Property & Tenders
Diary dates
21-24 Sep 2026
The Langham Huntington Pasadena , Pasadena, United States
Diary dates
06-08 Oct 2026
Messe Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Diary dates
22-22 Oct 2026
QEII Conference Centre, London,
Diary dates
26-29 Oct 2027
Koelnmesse Exhibition Centre, Cologne, Germany
Diary dates

Latest news

Fitness First Middle East reopens Dubai Media City as flagship wellness destination

Fitness First reveals makeover of iconic Dubai club
Dubai Media City is now open again after shuttering in 2021
Facilities include a recovery zone, members lounge and a bouldering wall
CEO Mark Buchanan says its a “beacon for the future of fitness across the Middle East”

Fitness First Middle East has reopened its iconic Dubai Media City site, which closed in 2021, as a flagship wellness destination with fitness and recovery facilities.

“This reopening is more than just a new club launch,” says Mark Buchanan, CEO of Fitness First Middle East. “It celebrates a space that has meant so much to our members and the wider fitness community, we have brought it to life again with innovation, thoughtful design and experiences centred entirely around our members.

“Returning to a place that has shaped so many journeys is always special and when it comes back stronger, fresher, and fully reimagined, the impact is unforgettable. This reopening captures the essence of Fitness First today – honoring our legacy, fostering community, embracing innovation and promoting wellbeing. It is a club built to inspire, to energise and to stand as a beacon for the future of fitness across the Middle East.”

The offering includes a dedicated Reformer Pilates Studio, an immersive cycling studio with screen technology, a boxing zone, a multi-purpose group exercise studio, fully equipped cardio and strength areas, a free weights section, a functional freestyle zone, and an outdoor training area.

Also on offer is a swimming pool, an indoor bouldering wall and an extensive class programme including Zumba, Les Mills, Fitness First’s water-based programmes and virtual workouts on demand. Fitness First’s MyCoach programme provides personalised, advanced coaching to help members maximise results.

The recovery zone features infrared saunas, cold plunge pools, compression therapy, Hyperice recovery tools, and professional sports therapy services. There is also a lounge and nutritious health bar for members to relax and connect.

To celebrate the launch, Fitness First is offering an exclusive limited-time promotion, with up to three months complimentary for new members. Media City members will also gain access to every Fitness First club across the region.

Owned and operated by Landmark Group in the Middle East and North Africa, Fitness First has 43 clubs across 34 locations in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar and has been operational in the region for more than 20 years.

Related news

The HFA’s annual report shows the global fitness industry is resilient and poised for growth

20 Aug 2025
The 2025 HFA Global Report, which looked at almost 30 markets, shows that around the ...
Fitness First Middle East has reopened its iconic Dubai Media City site, which closed in 2021, as a flagship wellness destination with fitness and recovery facilities.
HAF,FIT,IND,PTS,HCMS,SAB
2025/THUMB615-356909_478171_926263.jpg

Latest news

Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional reformer movements
The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch
Girls in the UK are missing out on 280 million hours of sport every year
According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes of
Everlast Gyms expands its footprint outside of the UK this month with the imminent launch
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of  Physical activity guidelines:
Strength training has never been more important for member retention, facility  differentiation and long-term commercial
Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and wellness
The Republic of Ireland will become the latest market in PureGym’s expanding international portfolio, with
Sophie Lawler, CEO of Total Fitness, has launched a leadership coaching business aimed at helping
Anytime Fitness reaches a milestone this week with the launch of its 6000th site. The
The £33.9 million Leighton Leisure and Community Centre has opened in Leighton Buzzard, UK, creating
YogaSix, the yoga brand owned by Xponential Fitness, has launched a heated, Pilates-inspired class called
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the stage
Walnuts Leisure Centre in Orpington, in the London Borough of Bromley, has reopened following a
The Gym Group, has announced that it's sustained positive trading momentum has continued through the
Hyrox has announced it will be working with a second charity in the upcoming season
US low-cost operator, Amped Fitness, has launched a flagship location in Texas, debuting its multi-sensory
Luxury boutique Pilates and wellness studio, X-Club, officially launches a 4,000sq ft flagship at Marylebone
The LifeFit Group continues its buy and build strategy with the acquisition of the Fitness
An ambitious women’s only strength and lifting studio concept is set to launch in Dallas this
Finnish outdoor fitness equipment specialist, Omnigym, has partnered with charity, Emmaüs Solidarité, to launch an
1 - 20 of 12,300
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Social fitness the missing link to member engagement, according to a new Myzone report
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
David Lloyd is stepping up its commitment to women’s health as it continues to explore what fit-for-purpose looks like for the female population
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Starpool supports Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs, says Riccardo Turri
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Greg Bradley looks at the shift towards strength training in gyms and advises on how operators can create the ultimate training environment
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Find out how your gym can tap into the corporate wellness boom
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
SnowDome Fitness has added 50 per cent more space with cutting-edge Technogym solutions
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Third Space partnered with IndigoFitness to deliver a bespoke training space for its new club at The Whiteley
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
EGYM has opened a new HQ in Paternoster Square, London and revealed a range of new launches
HCM promotional features
HCM magazine
As the 20th State of the Industry Report is released, LeisureDB has rebranded to Evolve, as Kath Hudson reports
HCM magazine
Lisa Starr tries the Ammortal Chamber to see whether layering 10 modalities into one experience really delivers more
HCM magazine
Would you stop selling memberships to prevent your club getting overcrowded? How do you strike the balance between maximising profits and prioritising the member experience? Kath Hudson talks to the experts
HCM magazine
The fitness industry is mourning the passing of Les Mills, a founding father of fitness, as Kath Hudson reports
HCM magazine
HCM People

Shaun Grove

Owner, Stride Fitness
My goal was to invest in where fitness is going, not where it’s already been
HCM magazine
People on weight loss drugs reduce their activity levels, according to a team at St John’s Hospital Illinois
HCM magazine
A new report puts physical activity at the heart of healthcare, says Muir Gray
HCM magazine
We’ve reduced the level of council investment over the last three years by 40 per cent and increased our turnover by 9 per cent
HCM magazine
World Athletics president, Sebastian Coe talks to Liz Terry about the launch of Run X in partnership with Technogym
HCM magazine
Fuel the debate about issues and opportunities across the industry. We’d love to hear from you. Write to [email protected]
HCM magazine
After decades of focusing on adult audiences, operators are starting to engage young people – unlocking growth opportunities while supporting the health and wellbeing of future generations
HCM magazine
Opinion
promotion
Strength training has moved from the margins to the mainstream.
Opinion: Building smarter strength spaces for today’s operators
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Legends never die: four legends, four philosophies of life
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod.
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Introducing a new era of Nautilus Leverage
Strength training has never been more important for member retention, facility differentiation and long-term commercial success.
Company profiles
Company profile: Energym
At Energym, we’re redefining the role of fitness in a sustainable future. Our award-winning British ...
Company profiles
Company profile: Peak Pilates UK<br>(distributed by Gymkit UK)
Peak Pilates, founded in the US in the early 1990s and now part of Mad ...
Supplier Showcases
Supplier Showcase - Future-proofing
Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
Featured press releases
Speedflex (UK press release: Inclusive Fitness in action: The Speedflex Blade at Gym Possible
Following the successful installation of the Speedflex Blade at Gym Possible, the UK based charity gym dedicated to making exercise accessible for people with physical disabilities, the innovative training solution has quickly become one of the facility’s
Featured press releases
BLK BOX press release: Inside the Player Gym at The Open, equipped by BLK BOX
The performance facility at Royal Birkdale gives the world’s leading golfers access to strength, conditioning, mobility and recovery equipment throughout Championship week.
Directory
Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Aquaform s.r.l.: Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Lockers
Crown Sports Lockers: Lockers
Spa and beauty equipment
Living Earth Crafts: Spa and beauty equipment
Hot tubs
MSpa International Ltd: Hot tubs
Fitness tracking platform
SpiviTech: Fitness tracking platform
Industrial washing machines
Miele Company Limited: Industrial washing machines
Property & Tenders
Stratford, East London.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Property & Tenders
Y Felinheli, LL56 4QN
Newmark
Property & Tenders
Diary dates
21-24 Sep 2026
The Langham Huntington Pasadena , Pasadena, United States
Diary dates
06-08 Oct 2026
Messe Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Diary dates
22-22 Oct 2026
QEII Conference Centre, London,
Diary dates
26-29 Oct 2027
Koelnmesse Exhibition Centre, Cologne, Germany
Diary dates
Search news, features & products:
Find a supplier:
Partner sites