Over the past few months, people from various industries have come together to support one another – and the fitness community is no exception.
In fact, the trainers at one Dubai gym have gone above and beyond their job descriptions.
InnerFight coaches Jamie Clarke, Carmen Bosmans, Tom Walker, Lloyd Melling, Jess Towl, Rob Jones, Rob Foster and George Crewe have spent recent weeks helping shift their workplace to a new location ahead of its reopening.
Like all fitness centres in the region, InnerFight gym closed its Al Quoz branch in March according to government regulations due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has since moved to a new location in Studio City. The new facility will feature two gym floors, a yoga studio, outdoor swimming pool and a paleo-inspired cafe. It is due to open, tentatively, next week.
"It's funny really, almost like we were building our own gym. We were moving to a new location and the entire team got involved with every aspect, moving equipment and helping prepare the new place," says owner Marcus Smith.
“When you look at it, it makes sense. They are all athletes, they are all really fit, and many come from sports backgrounds and understand the importance of being a team player. We don’t expect things to be done for us,” he adds.
This is why the team took on tasks like cleaning, moving and installing gym equipment, and even helping with the design of their new facility. As Smith puts it, they know the equipment and the clients better than anyone, so they deserved a say in what the space would look like.
“In fitness, there is no hierarchy. It doesn’t matter if you’re a chief executive or cleaner – you need to take care of your fitness level, respect one another and talk nicely to each other. I may own the company, but if there’s something on the floor that requires sweeping, hand me a broom.”
'A chance to reconnect as a team'
While the fitness industry as a whole has been hard hit by the pandemic, InnerFight made its services virtual during the stay home period, offering training sessions through Zoom, which has kept staff busy. It has not let go of any of its employees, and the decision to end its former lease early was made in order to pay the team’s salaries, says Smith.
With something like Covid-19, it's easy to feel lonely, but we would have regular Zoom calls and being accountable to a time and a group really helps
Walker, a trainer, adds that while the past few months have been challenging, working on the new space together has given the team a chance to reconnect.
“I think, as a team, we have grown closer. With something like Covid-19, it's easy to feel lonely, but we would have regular Zoom calls and being accountable to a time and a group really helps. I don’t mind working hard and I think that’s something we all have in common,” he says.
“We are all in the same boat,” says Clarke, another trainer. “We want the facility to be ready. It’s everyone’s livelihood and we all had the same understanding, that we needed it to be operating. We didn't mind getting our hands dirty – that's what got us to where we are today.”
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
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- Fly it within visual line of sight
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- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
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Rating: 4/5
