Summer bodies are built in the winter. So now that Dubai’s 30×30 fitness challenge is upon us (Oct. 26 – Nov. 26) there has never been a better time to upgrade yourself from the standard to the deluxe edition.
As the quote from Field of Dreams goes: “Build it and they will come.” It, meaning your muscles; they, meaning an influx of phone numbers.
1. Protein Powder
The most trusted ally on this list, there is nothing overly scientific about it as it’s literally just chicken breast in chocolate powder form (that sounds gross, but you know what we mean). People drastically underestimate the amount of protein they need to see genuine muscle gain, so adding two extra scoops – the equivalence of two chicken breasts – to your diet will show a massive difference. But beware! Avoid “GAINERS” at all cost! Not only are they just packed with sugar and excessive crap, they will make you gain weight, but not the kind you want. Find it here at Life Pharmacy for AED 270.
2. Creatine
This is the closest you’ll come to a natural steroid, and if it sounds too good to be true, for once, it actually isn’t. Found in animal protein, creatine retains water in your muscles, resulting in increased strength, size, and mass. Creatine Monohydrate is the cheapest and most scientifically researched option available and will give you the best results. It can be found here for AED 92
3. Tongkat Ali
According to everyone’s favourite online neuroscientist, Dr. Andrew Huberman, Tongkat Ali, or longjack, is one of the only proven natural herbs scientifically proven to increase testosterone, and testosterone is basically the cure to every ailment you have, but mostly, it builds muscles. And according to several studies, your biceps may not be the only thing that see an increase in blood flow…Find it here for AED 75
4. Omega 3 (Fish Oil)
Aside from the benefits of reducing heart disease and improving brain function, fish oil has been known to reduce delayed muscle onset soreness (DOMS), which basically means it can help reduce muscle inflammation, drastically improving the quality of your workouts. Find it here for AED 48
5. Pre-workout This is in no way necessary, especially when starting out, but once your lifts start getting heavier, more strenuous, and you need an extra bit of rocket fuel to get you there, then pre-workout is almost nonnegotiable. But, as mentioned, if your lifting career is in its infancy, then a Red Bull or cup of coffee will do the trick. Find it here for AED 77
6. New Workout Attire
Never underestimate the power of a pair of new clothes, especially when embarking on something as potentially daunting as a fitness journey. Most of us have shorts at home, maybe even some halfway decent sneakers, but investing in a new gym outfit will not only make you feel good, it’ll make you want to go to the gym. Head to the Dubai Mall to peruse Castore’s collection of gear, or find it here
7. Sleep
Aside from being at the gym, this is undoubtedly the most crucial aspect of not just your physical fitness, but mental as well. Lack of sleep is directly linked to low testosterone, which is thereby linked to complaining about stuff on Twitter when instead you could be at the gym doing something useful with your time, like flexing in the bathroom mirror because their lighting is on point.
8. Stop whining!
Listen up, fellas. This is perhaps the most important one of all. The world today is filled with men whose historical education comes from TikTok, their fitness advice comes from gamers who live in a dark bedroom, and their dating advice comes from online Reddit communities. Men have become allergic to resistance, and to quote the goat himself, Arnold, “The resistance that you fight physically in the gym and the resistance that you fight in life can only build a strong character.” You don’t need to be a bodybuilder, but there is literally not a single problem in your life that wouldn’t be alleviated, if only so slightly, with some physical exercise.
