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Emirates Woman
3 days ago
- Emirates Woman
Feel the Burn with PEAK HEAT Workouts in the UAE
RAK Hospitality Holding and DRYP Studio team up for the UAE's first outdoor hot fitness experience, returning to Jebel Jais on August 23 and 24. We spoke to Alison Grinnell, CEO of RAK Hospitality Holding; and Jessica Casalengo, Managing Director of DRYP, to find out more. Alison Grinnell, CEO of RAK Hospitality Holding What inspired you to launch PEAK HEAT? We wanted to completely reframe how people experience summer in the UAE. Instead of retreating indoors, we saw an opportunity to embrace the elements and turn the heat into a catalyst for wellbeing. PEAK HEAT was born from that idea. It is a bold, immersive experience that combines movement, altitude and nature at the highest point in the UAE, Jebel Jais. It is more than just a workout. It is about creating space for connection, resilience and self-discovery in an environment that feels both powerful and grounding. Not only is Ras Al Khaimah the nature emirate, but it is where opportunity thrives and an extraordinary powerhouse of innovation and resilience. What makes this different from a typical hot yoga or fitness class? Traditional hot yoga or heat-based workouts rely on controlled indoor studio environments. At PEAK HEAT, nature is the studio. We are 1,934 metres above sea level on Jebel Jais with no air conditioning, no mirrors and no artificial lighting. Just mountain air, golden hour sunsets and a panoramic horizon. The heat is not manufactured. It is real, raw and part of the challenge. That connection to the natural world makes the experience feel incredibly grounding and visceral. It is hot fitness, elevated. Why was Jebel Jais chosen as the location, and how do the natural elements play into the experience? Jebel Jais is the UAE's highest peak, and it brings a unique sense of scale, stillness and cinema that you simply cannot recreate in a studio. The mountain becomes an active part of the experience. Its altitude, the cooler air, the sunset light and the vastness of the panoramic view all contribute to the impact. These elements transform the workout into something deeper and more connected. We wanted to use the natural landscape not just as a backdrop but as an active force in the journey, and Jebel Jais was the perfect setting for that. How has the UAE's fitness and wellness culture evolved, and where does PEAK HEAT fit into that narrative? The UAE's wellness culture has matured enormously in recent years. There has been a shift from surface-level trends to experiences that offer real mental, emotional and physical impact. People are looking for something more meaningful. Something that challenges them and creates a sense of transformation both personally and collectively. PEAK HEAT fits into this evolution as a new kind of wellness experience. It speaks to the adventurous, conscious consumer who wants to step outside their routine and reconnect with nature, with movement and with themselves. This is The High Summer Issue – where's your favourite place to escape the heat? Ironically, I do not believe we always need to escape it. That is what PEAK HEA is all about. Embracing the season and finding strength through it. But if I had to choose a favourite escape, it would be somewhere in nature that offers contrast and clarity. Whether it is the crisp mountain air of Jebel Jais at dawn or the serenity of Ras Al Khaimah's stunning coastal spots, I always find calm in places where the elements take centre stage. Jessica Casalegno, Managing Director of DRYP Studio What led to the collaboration with DRYP? PEAK HEAT grew from Visit Jebel Jais' interest in DRYP and the mutual connections between the two teams. DRYP's hot classes and vibrant community are now well established, and it felt like the perfect moment to bring the Sweat Hub outdoors to the tallest mountain in the UAE. The idea was to take everything people love about DRYP and elevate it, quite literally, in a setting that's raw, powerful, and completely different from anything else out there. Together with Visit Jebel Jais, we wanted to create something immersive that celebrates movement, resilience and nature. What are the physical and mental benefits of training in such raw conditions? Not only does training in the heat challenge your muscular, pulmonary and cardiovascular endurance levels, but it also challenges the mind, pushing you for clearer focus. Detoxing with a deeper sweat, you can also expect glowing skin from continued regular hot classes and a cleaner liver from the constant natural release of toxins. The clean mountain air and high altitude enhance the experience further, giving your body and mind a full reset. It's a completely different feeling from training indoors. It's grounding, energising, and incredibly rewarding. How does PEAK HEAT harness the power of altitude, movement and heat for a fitness experience. PEAK HEAT is a unique experience in which the power of DRYP Sweat Hub is raised to higher heights, engulfed by the warmth of the sun and under the clear sky, sunset sessions within the DRYP community truly hit like no other. The altitude sharpens the breath, the heat intensifies the workout, and the movement brings everything together. As the golden hour light hits the mountain, the sessions take on an energy that is truly unmatched. There's something about moving with your community, outdoors, under the sky, that elevates the whole experience. Can you walk us through the PEAK HEAT journey – from the first breath on the mountain to the last bite of dinner? Clients arrive at Peak Heat together with their DRYP instructor to find a serene location to practice just as golden hour is approaching. Your instructor will guide you through a powerful, sweaty hybrid class that blends fitness, yoga, power and positivity. Just as the sun begins to dip, there's a shift. The session winds down and you're led to 1484 by Puro for a sunset dinner. It's refreshing, restorative, and feels like a reward after the climb. From there, you can retreat to your hotel room at the newly launched Rove Al Marjan for a restful night, completely reset and reconnected. This is The High Summer Issue – where's your favourite place to escape the heat? My favourite place to escape the Dubai heatis to get away to another emirate for a staycation. My husband and I have been retreating to Fujairah for years but this summer we're considering a staycation in Ras Al Khaimah or Abu Dhabi instead. The UAE is full of hidden gems and each emirate truly has something special to offer. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Pinterest
Emirates Woman
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates Woman
August's - The High Summer Issue with Lululemon
Life by Amy Sessions August 1, 2025 Creative Direction: Amy Sessions Photographer: Žiga Mihelčič Stylist: Sarah Ruxton Production: Sarah Joseph Videographer: Mark Mathew Makeup & Hair: Sarah Saya Cover Star: Paula Cunha at MMG Location with special thanks to Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Welcome to The High Summer Issue. This summer, we wanted to add value to your vacation season whether you're departing for Euro summer, exploring new cities, or staying close to home. With our mindset firmly focused on delivering you the best, this issue is a thoughtful curation of content from incredible people to inspire and educate. It's designed so you fill your time with value – ready for you to return home refreshed, revived and ready to take on the next challenge. Wishing you all safe travels! The Hero Buy – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
