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NEWS
Fitness First Middle East reopens Dubai Media City as flagship wellness destination
POSTED 22 Aug 2025 . BY Kath Hudson
Dubai Media City has reopened after a four-year closure Credit: Fitness First
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.
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Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa – which is due to open in 2028.
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23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

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31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Fitness First Middle East reopens Dubai Media City as flagship wellness destination
POSTED 22 Aug 2025 . BY Kath Hudson
Dubai Media City has reopened after a four-year closure Credit: Fitness First
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 STORIES
The HFA’s annual report shows the global fitness industry is resilient and poised for growth


The 2025 HFA Global Report, which looked at almost 30 markets, shows that around the world more people are joining gyms and seeing fitness as essential, despite rising living costs.
MORE NEWS
Brain plasticity could be improved by manipulating the gut microbiome
Manipulating the gut microbiome could become a powerful tool for preserving brain health and resilience as people age, according to research led by Professor Paola Tognini, a neuroscientist at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy.
Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa – which is due to open in 2028.
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
Swissline opens renovated urban wellness destination Labo Spa in Zurich
Swissline has opened a flagship day spa in Zurich, Switzerland, called Labo Spa.
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FEATURED SUPPLIERS

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]

Zerobody Cryo: Starpool's contrast therapy solution
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Yon-Ka

Founded in 1954, the Yon-Ka Paris combines nature, science, and sensoriality to create results-dr [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS