7 must-haves for indoor sports in the UAE, for 2023

“Several sports have their own clubs and academies in the UAE, so children can certainly continue their activities indoors, during the summer,” said Manish Kishore, managing director of U-Pro Dubai, who adds that football, cricket and basketball seem to be the most popular choices for children and adults.

You can also consider individual sports, such as tennis and badminton, which don’t require a team for individual training. This greatly facilitates learning a second or third sport outside of school.

Let’s talk hardware now. This is largely determined by the sport you choose. Kishore says most multi-sport facilities provide balls, but for everything else, from racquets to protective gear, it’s a good idea to bring your own. In the case of children, in particular, they will prefer sports equipment that suits them in terms of size and weight.

Once on the field, players often forget two important things, notes Kishore: “We see children and adults going for hours without drinking water – proper hydration throughout the day is crucial, even in the interior. Towels are also often ignored, and they end up sweating a bit.” a lot with nothing to wipe and cool.”

Browse more items recommended by our expert below, including activity trackers and agility ladders, to ensure a smooth session indoors. Shop with Amazon Prime to be sport-ready today, with fast free shipping.

Sports smartwatches just might be the motivational boost you need in the field. Kishore says activity trackers will help you monitor your performance and push you to set and achieve goals, which, in turn, can make the gamer feel more accomplished. “It’s the first thing parents should consider having for their kids, so they can track their activities and see how long they’ve been playing. Clubbing technology and sports can help them get up from the couch,” he said. added. Our best sports watch of 2023 is worth considering because it’s specifically designed to track over 100 sports, like basketball, badminton, and cricket, unlike fitness trackers that are limited to workouts. It’s a tough watch that has passed 15 military-grade tests, and although it looks chunky, the gadget weighs just 60 grams! Skin-friendly silicone wristbands wick away moisture when wrists sweat. Its 18-day battery will outlast most of your electronic devices, and that’s probably what makes the watch a great companion for outdoor adventures as well. For a slimmer, kid-friendly build, try our fitness tracker picks.

Guarantee: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh23 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh38.

Training at indoor sports facilities typically involves agility ladders and cones, Kishore shares. “Parents can explore these home options to help children stay as flexible as possible. They’ll want them to maintain some level of agility, even if they stay indoors. Cones and Agility ladders can also be a very fun and engaging family activity,” he said. The SKLZ Speed ​​Ladder is used by athletes and hobbyists to improve their lateral speed, balance and body control. The 11 sturdy plastic rungs can be combined with cones to create obstacles in drills. Kishore advises timing the completion of each borehole to track progress. You can do these exercises daily alone or with the whole family. Several soccer coaches and physical education teachers leave five stars on the scale’s durability and portability.

Guarantee: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty.

Every sport brings its own shoes, from cleats in football to grippy soles in basketball. Kishore urges players to choose the right shoes, as these alone can impact learning and comfort. While we can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach with athletic shoes, this pair of Asics can work with most games played on the court. The Upcourt 5 shoe is light, breathable and offers good support during sudden and multidirectional movements, thanks to the midfoot panels. Its rubber sole is designed to grip indoor courts and grounds. Shoppers have worn it in boxing, table tennis, badminton, volleyball and more, noting how they help change direction quickly. For women’s sizes, find the Upcourt 5 list here.

The ideal sweat towel would be odor controlled, not too big, and absorbent even on the second day. Aurora Athletica’s Sports Towel offers all of this and more. It’s made from 100% organic cotton, to protect your skin, and infused with silver ions for longer-lasting freshness. The absolute advantage here is that the towel doesn’t need to be washed daily to keep it from smelling, so it’s ready to support your games day after day. Reviewers threw themselves into intense Peleton and cardio workouts, with the towel soaking up the sweat of the day and drying quickly right after.

Qyal’s large capacity sports bottle will save you trips to the sports center. The 1.5 liter bottle is made from recyclable, odorless PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) and has a transparent body that allows you to keep an eye on your water consumption. Its 6cm-wide mouth is big enough for ice cubes, while the tight-fitting lid and flip-top lid ensure no amount of sloshing will spill the contents. The best part? You can quickly sip your water through the long straw between sessions. Reviewers find the perfect capacity for their daily workout needs.

Choose Under Armour’s water-repellent and durable duffel bag to store all your sports essentials. Available in different sizes, the Undeniable bag can reach up to 58 litres, but we’ve chosen the smallest duffel bag with a shoulder strap, and it’s perfect for hitting indoor arenas that already have the gear you need. Even at 23 litres, the bag is roomy enough to feature a separate pocket for sweaty laundry and shoes. Reviewers attest to this, saying they were able to fit much more than they expected.

Reduce any risk of injury with protective gear designed for your sport. As Kishore mentions, personal protective equipment cannot be distributed at facilities. We opted for a pair of shin guards, which are usually worn when playing football, baseball or cricket. These soccer shin guards from G-Form come in sizes for adults and kids, and won’t slip off during play because they fit like sleeves. SmartFlex technology in the pads absorbs shock and hardens on impact, otherwise they remain flexible throughout. Note that the pads run small, so order a size up. Parents in reviews mention happy children who find the guards stylish and comfortable, but warn that they can be difficult to remove from sweaty skin.

Our recommendations are independently chosen by the editors of Gulf News. If you decide to purchase through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission because we are part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates program.