Your Complete Guide to Group Exercise Classes at Council-Run Facilities in Abu Dhabi

Group fitness is booming across Abu Dhabi, with council-run facilities reporting record sign-ups for exercise classes this summer. The Department of Community Development (DCD) confirmed this week that bookings for group fitness activities at municipal centres in the capital surpassed 38,000 participants in the first half of 2026—a figure up nearly 20% on last year.

The surge comes as more residents seek affordable, structured ways to stay healthy, especially during the hot-weather months when outdoor activities are limited. With corporate wellness programmes rising and community organisers redoubling efforts to attract people away from sedentary lifestyles, group classes offer an accessible entry point for all ages and backgrounds. "The sense of togetherness and accountability is the main draw," said one DCD official on Thursday, citing research showing attendance rates for group exercise remain consistently high throughout the year.

Where to Join In: From Al Mushrif to the Corniche

The range of council-supported venues is expansive, stretching from Al Bateen to the residential clusters of Khalifa City. The Abu Dhabi Municipality runs the popular Family Development Foundation Centre in Al Mushrif, where residents can sign up for Pilates, zumba, and aquafit every week. Prices start from Dh30 per session for adults (less for students and children) and are bookable in advance online through TAMM, the Abu Dhabi government portal.

On the Corniche, at Umm Al Emarat Park, the city’s Active Parks initiative has made an impact since 2021 with open-air HIIT and yoga sessions three mornings a week—many at sunrise to beat the heat. Meanwhile, Al Hudayriat Beach has become a fixture for large-format bootcamps run in coordination with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with over 200 people attending the last public endurance event in June. Neighbourhood-friendly venues like the Mohamed Bin Zayed City Community Centre also offer women's-only circuit classes on weekday evenings, with flexible pricing starting from Dh25 per class.

Demand Surges: Numbers, Prices, and Results

Statistics from the municipality show a dramatic increase in fitness class attendance since the launch of the "Move Abu Dhabi" campaign in early 2023, with sign-ups for group classes at council-run venues rising from 21,000 in 2022 to nearly double that in late 2025. Council officials attribute this to both improved outreach—a WhatsApp notification service flags available classes weekly—and the rising appeal of structured, instructor-led sessions during the city’s long summers.

Pricing is intentionally kept lower than at private gyms. For example, the Family Development Foundation charges just Dh30 per 60-minute class, compared to Dh75-120 at some commercial studios along Khalifa Street. Many group classes, especially during municipal wellness festivals, are free or heavily subsidised by the DCD and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre. Local residents can also purchase monthly passes for around Dh150-200, granting unlimited access to group sessions across select venues.

Research from the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council indicates that adults who attend group fitness classes at least twice per week record 2.5 times higher adherence to exercise targets than solo gym users. Community organisers say the mix of accountability, socialising, and professional instruction plays a critical role in those results.

How to Get Started This Month

To join group exercise classes this July, residents can browse the city-wide schedule through the official TAMM portal, filter by preferred location (such as Al Mushrif or Reem Island), and reserve a spot within minutes. Most council-run facilities welcome drop-ins, but popular classes—like Friday aquafit at Khalifa City or sunrise yoga on the Corniche—tend to fill up in advance. It is advisable to arrive early and bring government ID for registration. Free trial classes are available at select times, especially during the summer wellness campaign running until August 20th.

For more information and the latest class schedules, visit the Abu Dhabi Municipality’s website or follow @ActiveParksAD on Instagram for updates. Group exercise at council facilities has never been more accessible: whether you’re new to fitness or returning to routine, the city’s public venues are primed for a season of movement and connection.