Residents hit the gym after work to avoid evening traffic

Turning their frustration over traffic jam into an opportunity for self-improvement, residents are reclaiming their time and their wellbeing

- Zain Basalat

Rush hour traffic in the UAE is a reality many commuters have to face daily, with congested roads stretching travel times to hours. Instead of battling gridlock, some individuals have found an innovative way to reclaim their evenings: heading straight to the gym.

This trend is not only reshaping how people manage their time, but also offering significant benefits for mental and physical well-being.

For Alaa Alhaj, the decision to go to the gym immediately after work was born out of necessity. “Due to the heavy traffic, I found it difficult to head home first and then go to the gym after work,” she shared. “As a result, I decided to streamline my routine by going directly to the gym after work and then handling my personal errands later in the day.”

Alaa’s workplace is a 20-minute drive from her home — without traffic. During rush hour, the time taken to commute stretches to over two hours. “The commute is incredibly draining,” she said. “It consumes so much of my time and leaves me feeling fatigued and demotivated by the time I reach home.”

By shifting her schedule to include a gym session before heading home, Alaa has noticed a significant improvement in her life. “Rather than getting stuck in traffic for hours, I now go directly to the gym. By the time my session is over, the traffic has eased, and my drive home is much quicker,” she explained.

Beyond saving time, Alaa highlighted the holistic benefits of this approach. “This routine allows me to invest my time in something that positively impacts both my mental and physical well-being. Rather than wasting an hour or more in traffic, I get to exercise and unwind after a long workday.”