A new way to get fit and save money
Two personal trainers have started a programme that promises to help you lose weight, not your money
With so much going on in health and fitness in the UAE (hello, Dubai Fitness Challenge), the country’s not actually short of gyms and new programmes promising all kinds of amazing results. But one Dubai personal training couple thinks they’ve got the perfect formula — and it comes with a little financial incentive.
Olivia and Adam McCubbin last month launched the first cycle of their 6-in-4 Challenge through their company Best Body Co. And the game-plan is pretty simple: Pay Dh999 upfront and if you lose 6kg in four weeks, you get all your money back. The challenge includes group workouts five days a week, a personalised diet plan and even a home programme in case you miss the group work-outs.
“Most people work out because they want to look better, feel better, lose weight and tone up. Most people don’t workout because they love it. They’re doing it to make a change,” says Olivia. “We knew there was a missing link — why aren’t people getting results? They’re working hard, they’re dedicating time out of their busy schedules, but still, nothing changes.
“So the missing links were education, nutrition, motivation, accountability and community support. It’s not the one hour in the gym that matters the most, it’s the 23 other hours in the day that will determine whether or not you’ll be successful in your health and fitness endeavours over the long term.”
Olivia and Adam, who moved to Dubai from Australia two years ago, say they started their company in September because they wanted to inspire people to change their approach to all things health and fitness.
Ahead of the new cycle of their challenge, they tell tabloid! what those signing up can expect, and how you can actually get a free workout from them.
So the 6-in-4 Challenge can actually be free? Why?
Olivia: Because we know that happy members who have a positive experience will come back and continue to work out with us, and recommend us to their family and friends.
It’s different to other group exercise classes, because it is a full-service offering, meaning you don’t just turn up to class, work up a sweat and go home. To kick off the 6-in-4 Challenge, we have an Orientation Seminar, body fat analysis and weigh-in, structured workout programmes, nutrition guides and meal plans, at-home and travel programmes (in case you miss a class), and unlimited access to us, your head coaches.
Is Dh999 the only expense? What about food, gym usage etc?
Adam: The challenge costs Dh999, that’s it. We ask you to pay this upfront to show your commitment to getting great results during our 6-in-4 Challenge programme, because studies have shown that people are more likely to stay focused and on track with achieving their health and fitness goals if they actually pay for it. Also, people are more likely to give up if they do something “for free” without any upfront payment, because there is no risk or feeling of loss.
We have an optional meal plan partner who we have worked very closely with to design a custom 6-in-4 Challenge meal plan for our members. Access to the gym, facilities, showers etc is totally free — it’s covered in the Dh999 to participate in the challenge.
What’s a typical training day like during the 6-in-4 Challenge?
Adam: There are five training days per week, Sunday to Thursday. We base the programming on three strength training days per week, and the alternating two days are metabolic conditioning focused. Classes are 45 minutes each, and if you are really training at capacity, this is more than enough.
How many participants were reimbursed in the last cycle?
Adam: At the moment, we are still midway through the first cycle of the challenge, but we’ve already seen many amazing transformations from the members, with many reporting already having lost 4-5kg in less than three weeks.
What happens if participants miss a few days during the cycle?
Olivia: Not a problem, we know that life happens and things get in the way of training such as work or family. We have at-home and travel workouts for you in case you miss a training session with us. We have a few members outside of UAE, all over the world who are doing the online version of the programme too.
“It’s not the one hour in the gym that matters the most. It’s the 23 other hours in the day.” OLIVIA MCCUBBIN | Personal trainer