Last week I had the pleasure to speak on a video meeting with our master franchisees of the United Arab Emirates, Anil Pathiary and Manoj Nair, who have just opened their flagship location in Dubai! That’s right, HOTWORX Dubai is now open for 24 hour infrared hot exercise in the UAE. As master franchisees, Anil and Manoj have plans to develop franchise locations throughout the UAE in the near future. Join me in sending a big collective fist pump to them across the planet for a job well done,
👊🔥!!!

Their flagship studio is located in the famed Bluewaters Island area of Dubai. Anil and Manoj faced some major development and regulatory hurdles in their multi-year project to get the first location up an running in Dubai on such an iconic site. Determined to succeed, they met every roadblock head on and overcame each obstacle to finally open a beautiful studio, and one that the brand is super proud of! Cheers guys, to such a great effort!

Bluewaters, an artificial island situated approximately 400 meters off Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Residence coastline, was conceived to enhance Dubai's tourism and entertainment landscape. Approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the project was unveiled on February 13, 2013, and ironically, the very first HOTWORX location was opened on February 13th as well in Oxford, MS in 2017.

Bluewaters was developed by Meraas Holding on reclaimed land, the island's creation involved dredging work by the Dutch firm Van Oord, renowned for their involvement in the Palm Jumeirah project. The development, which opened to the public in November 2018, encompasses residential, hospitality, retail, and entertainment zones. A centerpiece of Bluewaters Island is Ain Dubai, a towering 250-meter Ferris wheel that, upon its completion in October 2021, became the world's tallest observation wheel, surpassing the 167.6-meter High Roller in Las Vegas. The island also features around 200 retail and dining outlets, and is home to the five-star Banyan Tree Dubai resort, which rebranded from Caesars Palace Dubai in November 2023. These diverse attractions have positioned Bluewaters Island as a significant destination within Dubai, drawing millions of visitors annually.

Dubai's history itself is a remarkable journey from a small fishing and trading village to one of the world's most dynamic and modern cities. Originally inhabited by nomadic tribes, Dubai’s early economy centered around fishing, pearl diving, and trade due to its strategic location along key maritime routes. In 1833, the Al Maktoum family took control of Dubai, establishing a stable leadership that continues to this day. The discovery of oil in the 1960s transformed the city, fueling rapid development and modernization. However, even as oil revenues boosted growth, Dubai's leadership strategically diversified its economy into trade, tourism, aviation, and real estate. This visionary planning led to the creation of iconic projects like the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Bluewaters Island where HOTWORX is now located. Dubai is a global hub for business and luxury. Despite its futuristic skyline, Dubai remains rooted in its rich cultural heritage and continues to balance tradition with innovation. It only makes sense that the world’s most innovative fitness studio should also have locations in Dubai!

We are extremely proud of what Anil and Manoj have developed and excited to be a part of the innovation side of Dubai bringing world class fitness technology to the iconic city.

👊🔥