As Qatar’s population ages, more adults over 40 are embracing exercise to improve health, maintain independence and boost wellbeing, sparking a growing fitness revival across Doha.

On a weekday evening at the Intercontinental Hotel, Amanda Whitfield, 54, will be adjusting her shoes before her BodyPump class, moving through squats and lunges, surrounded by adults smiling, laughing, and motivating one another.

She has already finished her back-to-back Pilates and Zumba classes in the morning and spent her afternoon working remotely.

In her 30’s, Amanda considered herself active, but between juggling career and family responsibilities, exercise took a back seat.

After recovering from a stroke at 40, she decided in 2022 to become active again.

“It was something I used to do a lot when I was younger,” Amanda told Doha News.

Her experience reflects a broader trend in Qatar. Across Doha, adults in their late 30s and 40s are rediscovering exercise after years focused on careers and family.

According to fitness instructors, this is driven by preventive health concerns and a striving for independence and quality of life, with activities like Zumba, walking, swimming and running leading the way.

While Qatar does not yet publish age-specific participation data for physical activity, there are national initiatives that promote participation, such as sports day and this year’s “I Choose Sports” motto.

Qatar’s Ministry of Health and Hamad Hospital launched a healthy ageing initiative to keep adults over 60 independent and healthy through specialised ICOPE clinics that screen, monitor, and provide personalised care for physical, cognitive, and mental wellbeing.

A 2025 study by Qatar’s Ministry of Sports and Youth found that lack of time remains the main barrier to participation.

Yusri Bin Jusoh, 53, returned to regular physical activity in 2010 after medical check-ups revealed high uric acid levels and elevated cholesterol.

While he had enjoyed trekking in his early twenties, exercise gradually fell away after he graduated from university and became busier with work. The results prompted him to reintroduce exercise into his routine.

“I started with mountain biking for the first two years, followed by road cycling a year later. In 2013, I began running with friends and joined the Doha Bay Running Club,” said Yusri, now part of the running club’s committee.

Fitness professionals working with older adults say the shift is intentional.

Qatar’s National Physical Activity Guideline, released by Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in 2021, encourages adults to make physical activity a daily habit and to engage in aerobic exercise, such as walking or group classes, at least three times a week.

Coach Marta, a women-only Doha fitness instructor who works primarily with clients from 20 to 75, said many return to exercise after realising they can no longer easily perform everyday tasks.

She has watched clients hesitate before a squat or plank, then smile when they realise they can still do it.

“Now, everyday tasks are becoming easier, like holding a pot while cooking or even opening a bottle,” she said.

This, she added, makes them happy because they don’t have to ask for help as often, such as when carrying a heavy bag.

Zumba instructor Sophie Peralba said older women are often drawn to group fitness for self-care and a positive experience, with music as a key element.

“The fitness experience is disguised as a party,” Sophie said.

Having age-appropriate options plays a significant role, she explained. There are low-impact versions of Zumba, such as Zumba Gold and Zumba Sentao (performed on a chair), and Aqua Zumba, which are designed for older adults, allowing them to participate safely and build social connections at their desired mobility levels.

According to Sophie, the older women who have been recently joining her classes are women who have long tried to maintain work-life balance but ultimately deprioritised structured exercise.

Many have held high-responsibility roles such as senior managers, teachers, and doctors, and are now returning to group fitness as they prepare for retirement to be at ease with their bodies.

“They are educated, and they want to invest in their health as they invested in their career and education,” Sophie explained.

For Gayane Melikyan, a consultant neurologist at Hamad Medical Corporation who turns 55 this year, physical activity has long been part of her life, though its intensity has fluctuated with work and family demands. She enjoys walking, swimming, salsa and Zumba.

“Dancing increases the endorphins, so it is making you happy, psychologically and physically,” Dr Gayane said.

Regular movement becomes increasingly important with age, she added. “The muscles need to be trained to avoid backache and joint pain and to be physically and psychologically healthy.”

Not everyone feels comfortable walking into a commercial gym. Coach Marta, the fitness instructor, said most of her older clients train at home because many commercial gyms in Qatar do not offer programmes for them.

“This is where they feel the most comfortable,” Marta said.

Not all adults find it easy to get back into exercise. Many associate gyms with pressure, judgment, or incorrect exercise form.

Zeina Murtada, a health and wellness coach, explained. Without proper communication, the gym can feel overwhelming rather than empowering.

“Some worry that movement might make their pain or condition worse, while others don’t see quick results and lose patience,” Zeina told Doha News.

“When people understand that exercise helps them live better, not just look different, they’re more likely to return and stay consistent.”

As Qatar’s population ages, whether adults move has implications for their health and
independence.

Fitness instructors in Qatar say staying active supports mobility, mental health and overall wellbeing.

Pako Elseehy is a student journalist at Northwestern University Qatar, whose reporting focuses on sports, human-interest stories, and visual storytelling through photography. This article is an opinion piece and does not necessarily reflect the views of Doha News, its editorial board, or staff.