Challenging workout

THREE determined slimmers sprinted into a weight-loss challenge and have won shopping sprees for their stunning efforts.

They collectively lost 6.1kg and a whopping 20.5 inches of fat!

Wanting to get into shape for the New Year, the triumphant trio of Osama Al Khaja, 44, Sruthi Pillai, 19, and Ali Mohammed Kamal, 33, took part in Challenge 989 organised by the Dream Body Centre (DBC) in a bid to motivate members to come in regularly for their workouts.

“We wanted members to keep coming in and start the New Year with a bang, and some healthy competition,” explained founder Suhail Algosaibi.

The challenge was to be the first to complete 989 minutes of workout within a span of eight weeks. The 989 was a multiple of 23 which is the number of minutes that a DBC workout lasts.

“We thought it would realistically take members around eight weeks to reach 989 minutes of workout, but we were in for a very pleasant surprise,” said Mr Algosaibi.

Members certainly had other ideas. They were so fired up that they started attending several times a day, as many as seven.

The competition was very close with members actively taking notes of each other’s times and giving it their all in a bid to get ahead.

“We have never seen anything like it. We didn’t even imagine that members would come in so many times a day. It really made the centre come alive and we were all cheering them on,” added DBC general manager Saba Saleem. “The competition was meant to last until the end of February but members completed it even before January ended.”

Businessman Mr Al Khaja picked up the top prize of a Bahrain City Centre shopping spree worth BD100 and the two runners-up each picked up vouchers for BD50.

The trio also received trophies but most impressively they reduced their waist measurements and weight while competing. “That is why we introduce competitions at DBC, to make sure that members get the best results while still having fun. That’s what we are all about,” said Mr Algosabi.

More competitions are planned at the centre which is situated at Bahrain Mall.

*See HealthWeekly