Anthony Lee, Personal Trainer and Owner of Activ8 Lifestyle & Fitness, has been part of Dubai’s fitness scene for nearly two decades. With 17 years of experience, he has witnessed, and helped shape, the city’s evolving approach to health, training, and lifestyle.
The Changing Face of Fitness in Dubai
“You have been part of Dubai’s fitness scene for 17 years. How has the culture around health and training changed in that time, and how have you contributed to that journey?”
“It has changed huge amounts!” says Lee. “Like many industries it has become saturated and crowded, which is good for the gym goer as competition has increased options, meaning reduced prices for gym memberships and coaching packages. However, I have noticed a massive increase in trainers with very little experience and getting qualified very quickly which misses the integrity of the profession it once was. Always quality over quantity!”
When Lee first arrived in Dubai, the city had just one multinational chain of gyms alongside hotel and stand-alone facilities. With a background that includes professional youth football, competitive kickboxing, and experience at a flagship, celebrity-favorite gym in the UK, Lee brought a wealth of knowledge. “I’ve had the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and experience to some junior trainers in Dubai,” he says.
Coaching Philosophy: Personal, Not One-Size-Fits-All
Lee’s early sporting background continues to influence his methods. “It has added more strings to my bow and I do draw back on old exercises, drills and routines I used for football, athletics and kickboxing,” he explains. More importantly, he emphasizes tailoring his approach:
“Coaching is extremely personal. You need to deliver results but also need to evaluate your clients and what approach works best for them. Some you will need to shout and scream at, as that motivates them. Some need an arm round their shoulder to support and encourage them. A ‘one size fits all’ does not work in the fitness industry.”
Motivation and Accountability
Consistency, Lee admits, is often the biggest challenge for clients. His approach combines structure, communication, and creativity.
“I think setting realistic goals and not making it too overwhelming, while gradually adding difficulty at a realistic rate,” he explains. “Keeping account and measuring progress so they can see an uphill trajectory of improvement, knowing they are improving and making progress in multiple ways not just the number on the scale.”
To reinforce this, Lee has introduced initiatives such as the Activ8 Olympics—fitness challenges that foster progress and friendly competition—and #FebruaryFitness, where clients who trained every day for a month were rewarded with a luxury spa experience.
His dedication often extends beyond the gym floor. “I have been known to physically knock on their door and wake them up if they have overslept!” he admits with a smile.
Clearing Misconceptions
Lee is candid about misconceptions in the industry. “I’ve witnessed clients choose personal trainers that only look amazing vs what they actually know or have experience in,” he says. Another common issue: “I also see a lot of people have a mindset of ‘if I make the payment, I’ve done the hard work.’ No, the trainer will go above and beyond to help and assist you, but you need to take the 1st step and push in your sessions. It’s teamwork.”
And for those who hesitate to start until they “get fit enough”: “NO, the whole point of personal training is to safely improve your levels of fitness progressively, while teaching and educating you at the same time.”
Meeting Clients Halfway: Success Stories
Lee stresses that results come when clients truly engage. “If clients trust me and wholeheartedly listen to my advice and follow me, they get results! Simple as that. It’s not arrogance but confidence in my ability of knowing what I’m doing and always having their best interests at heart.”
He recalls one memorable client, affectionately nicknamed #MightyMo. “He had so much potential, strong but unreliable! He would cancel sessions, especially on weekends. But when he committed—before his MBA in London and later for his wedding—he transformed. He lost weight, doubled his strength, and looked incredible. I even attended his wedding where a guest told me Mo’s shorts kept falling off because he had lost so much weight. Perfect timing and a great compliment to us both.”
Fitness Trends: Tried, Tested, and Timeless
With new trends constantly surfacing, Lee’s approach is pragmatic. “Fitness is very much like fashion; it goes round in cycles. Everyone tries to find a niche marketing strategy for fitness and discover the latest ‘best new thing’ but not all last. You must move with the times and be open to new methods and equipment if the results are tested and proven, but you can’t beat the old school fundamental methods. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”
What Makes a Great Trainer?
“For me, a great trainer goes above and beyond,” Lee says. “Encouraging, supporting, listening, and making clients feel part of a fitness family. I lead by example, train alongside them, even attend their sports matches, and sign them up for marathons. I’ll always be at the finish line.”
Looking Ahead
Lee is expanding his horizons while staying true to his core passion: helping people achieve their fitness goals. “Right now, I am putting in effort to try and get more awareness of Activ8 Lifestyle & Fitness and everything I can offer PT clients. I am in the process of having an app made for managing my clients’ details, workouts and renewals as well as publishing some informative, educational tutorial videos. I am also tempted with the idea of taking over a nice hotel gym and putting my personal touch on it, taking it to another level.”
But even with new ventures, one principle remains constant: “Even coaches are on a never-ending journey of development.”
Website: www.activ8fitness.ae
Instagram: @Activ8fitnessdxb
Facebook: Activ8 Lifestyle & Fitness DUBAI
Twitter: @Activ8FitnessAE
Promo Video: YouTube
