The rise of women-first wellness (and Swarovski dumbbells, obviously)

Hey friends,

We’re still riding high from this week’s Wellness Stroll - 50 incredible women came out to move, stretch, and connect. To those who joined us - thank you! We loved meeting you💕(And our strolls are officially becoming a monthly thing — so if you missed this one, we’d love to see you next time!)

Huge love to Adrienne from HWH Studio for the feel good warm up, Feels for the refreshments, Sand Dollar for our “feel” bracelets, and Dr. Nazia from Genesis for the quick (and oh-so-important) boob check demo.

And while the pink ribbons may be coming down, the reminder stays up — breast cancer awareness doesn’t end with October. Keep checking, keep talking, keep showing up for yourself and the women around you.

And speaking of all things pink… this week’s round-up carries some serious feminine energy. From the world’s most exclusive wellness resort debuting a women-only retreat space, to new platforms decoding perimenopause and menopause with real data (finally!), the conversation around women’s health is getting louder — and we are loving it.

So without further ado.. Let’s get into it!

With love (and a whole lot of Girl Power)

PS: Stay tuned early next week for a special guest edition from Leanne, our Perimenopause + Vitality Editor. She’ll be sharing highlights from the recent GCC Summit and spotlighting a practitioner you won’t want to miss if you’re navigating (or even curious about) this next chapter.

📍 VAURA Pilates, DIFC

The global reformer phenomenon has finally landed — and trust us, this one’s worth the hype.

After conquering Sydney, Singapore, and New York, VAURA officially opened its Dubai doors yesterday (Saturday 1st November) - taking up residence in Central Park Towers, DIFC. And after meeting the team ourselves, we can confirm: they’re every bit as fab as the space itself.

This isn’t your average Pilates studio. VAURA fuses the precision of reformer Pilates with the dynamic power of athletic training - creating an immersive, full-body workout that energises every cell of your body. Expect mirrored ceilings, neon lights, upbeat music, and instructors who bring both energy and expertise.

It’s the kind of class that challenges you, but also lets you switch off - the lights dim, the music builds, and suddenly you’re in total flow. A place where your workout doesn’t feel like hard work, and where you walk out feeling more alive than when you arrived.

Why we love it:
It’s elevated. It’s electric. And it’s bringing something fresh to Dubai’s reformer scene - blending global innovation with a seriously premium studio experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned reformer regular or totally new to the method, VAURA is set to become one of Dubai’s most exciting new fitness destinations.

November is bringing balance - grounding mornings, glowing evenings, and a little movement magic on land and sea. Here’s where to move, breathe, and reset this week.

☕ Coffee Party & Conscious Morning Club (Sunset Edition)
Sunday, 2 November | 5–7:30 PM
Boho X, Downtown Dubai
Soul Sessions are switching things up - this time, it’s a sunset takeover. Think coffee hour meets dance floor glow: golden-hour beats, mocktails over martinis, and community instead of crowds. Come for the vibes, stay for the energy.
Book here

🫁 Breath Alchemy at HWH Studio
Sunday, 2 November | 7–9 PM
HWH Studio. Burj Al Arab
A deep dive into the power of breath. This immersive session blends science and stillness - guiding you through CO₂ techniques and micro boosters that enhance heart–brain coherence, helping you find balance, clarity, and calm. Open to all levels and all genders.
Book here

🧘‍♀️ Releasing Blocked Emotions
Tuesday, 4 November | 7–8:30 PM
The Chi Room
Harness the full moon to let go of what’s been holding you back. Guided Wim Hof breathwork meets restorative sound healing for deep emotional release and nervous system reset.
Book here

⛵ The Self-Care Sail
Wednesday, 5 November | 10 AM–12:30 PM
Location shared on booking
The ultimate glow-up morning at sea - Pilates on deck, sculpting facials, and matcha in hand. Expect chilled vibes, ocean air, and the kind of self-care that lasts long after you dock.
Book here

🌕 Red Light Therapy & Full Moon Yacht
Wednesday, 5 November | 7–9:30 PM
8 Star Yachts, Dubai Harbour
A full moon experience like no other - breathwork, red light therapy, and PEMF mats on the water. Float, release, and realign under the lunar light.
Book here

🚴‍♀️ Crank Up Your Aura
Friday, 7 November (8 or 9 PM)
Saturday, 8 November (7 or 8 AM)
Aura Skypool
AURA x CRANK = the collab we didn’t know we needed. Beat-driven ride sessions set above the skyline — choose a sunrise spin with breakfast or a night swim under the stars.
Book here

🚣‍♀️ Paddle, Kayak & Explore Hatta Dam
Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 November | 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Hatta Dam
Dubai Stand Up Paddle returns for a weekend of water, movement, and mountain views. SUP, yoga, kayaking - all levels welcome for this Dubai Fitness Challenge highlight.
Book here

 INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS

💃🏻The Gym Just Got Hormone-Smart
Equinox is rewriting the rulebook with EQX ARC, a new female-focused performance program featuring hormone testing, 1:1 coaching, and strength training synced to every life stage. From preconception to perimenopause, it’s data meets dumbbells — and finally, a gym that understands the female body isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Our take: It’s about time the fitness world stopped pretending women are just smaller men. Stage-based training, hormone-aligned workouts, and luxury recovery zones? Sign us up
📖 Read More

🔥 Natural Cycles Enters the Perimenopause Chat
Women’s health app Natural Cycles just launched NC° Perimenopause Mode — plus its first wearable, the NC Band - to help decode midlife cycle patterns, symptoms, and hormones in real time. Used by 5 million+ women for birth control and pregnancy planning, the brand says 80% of users have asked for better peri/menopause support. The new mode uses biometric data (and syncs with Oura or Apple Watch) to identify hormonal shifts and suggest lifestyle tweaks or HRT when needed. With competitors like Withings x Clue, Flo, and Peri also entering the space & the menopause market projected to hit $24 billion by 2030, demand for data-driven care is surging.
Bottom Line: A natural transition, yes - but women are done being left in the dark. Stay tuned next week for a special guest edition from our perimenopause editor — hot takes guaranteed!
📖 Read More

🌸 The Future of Wellness Is Female
The number 1 Wellness Resort in America, Canyon Ranch, is set to open a women first wellness resort just outside Austin, Texas — a 600-acre sanctuary dedicated to the needs of women 30+, from peri-/menopause care to postpartum support and better sleep.
It’s part of a growing movement: 64% of global travelers are women, many seeking spaces that reflect their real lives and changing bodies. With SHA Wellness launching a women’s health unit and Six Senses teaming up with Dr. Mindy Pelz, the message is clear — the industry is finally designing for her.
What it Means: The next era of luxury wellness isn’t about escape — it’s about evolution.
📖 Read More

💎 Dumbbells, but Make Them Dior
Because nothing says self-care like Swarovski-encrusted kettlebells. Iron House Design just dropped the PENT Fitness “Embellished with Crystals by Swarovski®” Collection — handcrafted in Poland from leather, wood, and stainless steel, then finished with hand-applied crystals for that extra sparkle of…insanity? Touted as “functional works of art,” these bedazzled weights are destined for yacht gyms and hotel suites where sweating is strictly optional.
Outtake: Undeniably fabulous but I think we’ll file this one under more money than sense.
📖 Read More

🌿 Wellness Is the New Home Value
Majid Al Futtaim just unveiled Maravelle at Ghaf Woods — an ultra-premium, wellness-led destination set within Dubai’s first forest community. Think circadian lighting, advanced air filtration, low-emission materials, and forest-view terraces designed for privacy, calm, and connection. The 96-residence enclave anchors a new era of “wellbeing-first” living — where architecture and nature work in sync to regulate mood, light, and air. Globally, the trend is booming: listings mentioning wellness features are up 33% YoY, and spa-inspired bathrooms (cold plunges, saunas, and smart toilets included) are driving up home values by nearly 3%.
Outtake: From Dubai’s forest homes to smart saunas, wellness real estate isn’t just aspirational — it’s the new standard for how we live and thrive.
📖 Read More

🏃‍♀️ Technogym Enters the Fast Lane
The Italian fitness giant just unveiled RUN X, a global treadmill running championship officially sanctioned by World Athletics — bringing the race to your gym floor. Clubs worldwide can register as affiliates, hosting 5K virtual races on Technogym treadmills with real-time leaderboards, certified results, and a shot at $100K in prizes. With connected equipment already in 100K+ facilities across 120 countries, Technogym is turning its hardware empire into a global sports platform.
Punchline: Forget step goals - it’s leaderboard season.Technogym confirms the UAE as a supported region, so this one could be coming to a gym near you soon.
📖 Read More

TREND TO WATCH

📈 Work, Meet Wellness
The office perk is out — the wellness ecosystem is in. As burnout climbs and focus drops, employees are taking matters (and memberships) into their own hands. Wellhub’s latest report shows well-being down 9% YoY, with 86% now valuing wellness as much as salary — and most saying sustained energy feels out of reach. The shift? Wellness is decentralising. Workers aren’t waiting for HR; they’re finding it elsewhere — through gyms, run clubs, recovery studios, and apps that track performance and build community. With just 14% of companies offering structured programs, platforms like Wellhub, EGYM Wellpass, and Superpower are stepping in, alongside specialised support from Midi (menopause) and WellTheory (autoimmune care).
Hot Take: Forget work/life balance — the future is work/life wellness.
📖 Read More

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

🧠 Ozempic for… Addiction?
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, best known for weight loss and diabetes treatment, may also quiet cravings for alcohol, nicotine, and even opioids. A new Journal of the Endocrine Society study found that these medications act on reward circuits in the brain, dampening the same dopamine pathways that drive compulsive use. Early human trials show reduced drinking, fewer cigarettes, and less opioid-seeking behaviour — prompting researchers to call GLP-1s a potential new frontier in addiction therapy. It’s early days, but if results hold, these drugs could reshape how we treat both metabolic and behavioural health in one shot (literally).
Zooming Out:From weight loss to willpower.. are GLP-1s might the biggest accidental mental-health breakthrough yet?  Early trials are promising, yes - but we’re still a few double-blind trials away from calling Ozempic the sobriety shot. We’re watching closely to see how this one unfolds.
📖 Read the full study

📩 SHARE IT, SAVE IT, SEND IT

💾 Save it — for when you want to scroll smarter, not longer.
📲 Share it — with your girls who know community is the new self-care.
📤 Send it — to the women who lift you up — literally and emotionally.

1