Step into Health this Ramadan: Walk in the Dome

On the occasion of Ramadan, the Aspire Zone Foundation’s Step into Health team has introduced a walking competition, “Walk in the Dome,” open to all members of the public.

The competition, which is to start on Wednesday and end on the last day of Ramadan, entails participants to utilize the Aspire Dome as a walking venue.

Those walking will be given pedometers, and valuable prizes will be handed out to the winners after Eid al-Fitr.

The Aspire Dome will be open for walking every day in Ramadan from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, and from 8pm to 11pm.

Step into Health is an initiative established by the government-owned Aspire Zone Foundation in a move to motivate “the nation to better their lifestyle by being more active.”

A few weeks ago, Step into Health introduced “Walk More, Walk the Mall,” — a program designed to encourage Qatar’s residents to walk in the climate-controlled shopping malls as we delve deeper into the scorching summer temperatures.

Four of Qatar’s malls are participating: Landmark, Villaggio, Hyatt Plaza, and Al Khorr Mall. They have each posted maps and walking routes, along with details about the distance and the number of calories that could be burnt during the walk.

This is all part of a move that Qatar is taking to combat the country’s high levels of obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases.

According to the International Association for the study of Obesity, Qatar ranks 6th globally for the prevalence of obesity.

Although the country has set up countless venues and opportunities for residents to exercise, Qatar’s high temperatures play a huge role in demotivating residents to step outside.

With initiatives like Step into Health, sports are being brought indoors, in hope of encouraging people to begin exercising.

Source: Step into Health
Image: Derek Bruff