A free morning workout organised by three karate instructors has developed into a growing fitness community in Abu Dhabi, attracting more than 2,000 active participants, according to a September 2026 report by Aletihad News Center. The group, known as Positive Fit, meets at Family Park B opposite the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
The initiative was started by Fasal Rahman, Mohammed Noushad and Yadhu Krishna, three karate instructors from Kerala, India. They initially began exercising together after a busy period had disrupted their own fitness routines.
Their plan was straightforward: return to regular exercise and encourage others to join them. A social media invitation helped turn that personal goal into a wider community activity.
The group has been meeting at 6am, with the sessions reported to be free to attend and open to newcomers as well as people with existing fitness experience. The organisers said the response had exceeded their initial expectations.
How Positive Fit began
The idea developed during an early workout at Family Park B, where the three instructors met another person exercising in the park. According to Yadhu Krishna, that encounter led to the group’s first additional member and prompted them to consider building a wider fitness community.
They subsequently shared a message on social media inviting members of the Malayali community to join their morning sessions. The appeal focused on a simple proposition: people could set aside 45 minutes in the morning and exercise without paying a fee.
Interest grew as people came across the invitation and shared information about the group. One participant, Muhammed Suneer, told Aletihad that he discovered Positive Fit through an Instagram Reel before joining several days later.
The experience illustrates how social media can help local activities reach people beyond their immediate circle of friends. In this case, an online invitation directed interested residents towards a regular, in-person activity.
Workouts designed for different fitness levels
Positive Fit’s sessions are not limited to people who already have strong fitness levels. According to the September report, the organisers adapt activities for beginners and more experienced participants.
Newcomers start with basic movements, including head rotations and stretching, before progressing to full-body exercises. The organisers also take a gentler approach during a participant’s first week, while fitter members can follow more demanding routines.
Exercises such as cone drills and ladder drills are included to add variety to the sessions.
This approach can make group exercise less intimidating for people who are uncertain about joining a fitness activity. Rather than expecting everyone to begin at the same intensity, the group accommodates different starting points.
For residents who have struggled to maintain an exercise routine, a scheduled group session can also provide a reason to return regularly. The social aspect gives participants an opportunity to meet others while working towards their individual fitness goals.
Why free outdoor exercise matters
The Positive Fit initiative also fits into Abu Dhabi’s broader provision of public spaces for recreation and physical activity.
The emirate’s Department of Municipalities and Transport maintains a public facilities platform that helps residents find parks, walking routes, outdoor fitness stations and other recreational spaces. Family Park is listed among the locations offering outdoor recreation and fitness facilities.
Abu Dhabi has also previously supported organised outdoor fitness programmes. In December 2021, the Department of Community Development and Abu Dhabi Sports Council announced the Active Parks initiative, which offered more than 380 free sessions across 12 parks and urban spaces over four weeks. Activities included running, boot camps, yoga and other group fitness sessions.
Positive Fit is a separate community-led initiative; the available reporting does not establish that it is part of the government programme.
The two examples nevertheless show different ways public spaces can be used to encourage physical activity: through organised programmes and through residents taking the initiative themselves.
For participants, the absence of a joining fee removes one potential barrier to trying a group workout. The outdoor setting also offers an alternative to exercising in a commercial gym, although participants should check the location, facilities and conditions before attending.
Building consistency through community
Starting an exercise routine is one challenge; maintaining it over time can be another. A regular meeting time and the presence of other participants may help people stay accountable to their plans.
A participant quoted in Aletihad’s report described the encouragement of exercising with a friendly group as a positive factor in maintaining regular attendance. He also said he had experienced benefits to his mental and physical wellbeing.
Those comments reflect the participant’s personal experience rather than a clinical assessment of the programme’s effects.
The organisers have experience managing sports championships, according to the report, which Fasal Rahman said helped them handle the growing number of people attending the workouts.
With participation continuing to grow at the time of publication, Positive Fit’s development shows how an informal activity can expand when a clear invitation meets an existing community interest.
Residents considering a new exercise routine should choose movements suited to their fitness levels and build intensity gradually. Anyone with relevant health concerns should seek appropriate medical advice before beginning strenuous exercise.
The group’s reported appeal rests on a simple combination: a free session, a regular meeting time and an opportunity to exercise alongside other people in Abu Dhabi.
What is Positive Fit in Abu Dhabi?
Positive Fit is a community fitness group started by three karate instructors who began exercising together at Family Park B opposite Abu Dhabi Corniche.
Who founded Positive Fit?
The group was started by Fasal Rahman, Mohammed Noushad and Yadhu Krishna, three karate instructors from Kerala, India.
Where does Positive Fit meet?
The group was reported to hold morning workouts at Family Park B, opposite Abu Dhabi Corniche, in Abu Dhabi.
What time do the workouts take place?
The September 2026 report stated that the group met at 6am. Readers should confirm the current schedule with the organisers before attending.
Are Positive Fit workouts free?
Yes. The organisers told Aletihad that participation was free and there were no joining conditions reported at the time.
Can beginners join the workouts?
According to the report, sessions cater to beginners as well as experienced fitness enthusiasts. Newcomers start with simpler movements before progressing to more demanding exercises.
How many people have joined Positive Fit?
Aletihad reported more than 2,000 active participants in September 2026. This is a reported figure from that period, not a verified current membership count.
