The importance of staying fit and living healthy is advocated anywhere and this lifestyle is gaining an increasing number of followers.
One such advocate is Jeddah’s newest fitness guru, Hala Al-Dakhil. This up-and-coming certified trainer learned to optimize her career in the United States where she graduated from Marymount University. Her clients know her to be a tough yet optimistic instructor; her workouts vary so there is no room for boredom.
Arab News contacted Al-Dakhil and found her to be a positive and bright young woman who believes that all her clients are warriors, her own words. It’s not every day you hear Saudi women referred to as warriors, but that’s through a trainer’s eyes.
Arab News: How did you get into fitness training? Has it been a hobby or a passion growing up?
Hala Al-Dakhil: I was always an active child. I loved hanging from bars in the playground, I was into gymnastics, I played tennis and went skiing every year. My mother and older brother Mohamed (who is now a trainer as well) were always into health and fitness so I grew up thinking this was something very normal.
AN: You have been back in Jeddah for a little under two years. What has motivated you to become a fitness instructor?
HD: I wanted to become a fitness instructor before I even moved back to Jeddah. It was actually my trainer who pushed me into getting my certification and insisted that I do this as a profession rather than just for myself. His exact words were, ‘You would be a fool if you didn’t take this home and do it professionally’.
AN: Who has been your role model when it comes to health and fitness?
HD: Honestly, I can’t say that I have just one role model because there were a few people who played a role in where I am at today. The reason I got into training was definitely because of my personal trainer in Washington DC who taught me everything from A to Z. Without the help of my husband, I would have never reached to this point. I look up to my parents and older brother Mohamed because they molded me into this from the start.
AN: Since being in Jeddah, have you noticed the unhealthy lifestyle many Saudis live in? Has it motivated you to try to help out through your workouts?
HD: Truly, I wouldn’t generalize. Because before I moved back here I was told that the women in Saudi Arabia are so unhealthy and spoiled. Until I came and I saw for myself, that they are actually serious warriors! They are very well aware of health, fitness, and especially form, which always makes me more excited to push each and every one of them harder. I believe that the majority of unhealthy people are the result of an unhealthy childhood and lifestyle, for which some schools should be blamed.
AN: What kind of workouts do you provide your clients? Do they accept your challenging workouts, or would they rather resort to dieting without exercise?
HD: I do a mixture of high and low-intensity workouts, about five to six different kinds depending on their goals and concerns. Of course there will always be some people who want the easy way out. I try to let them enjoy the workout rather than making them feel they are doing it because they have to.
AN: Does your fitness program include nutrition as well? Do you set up specific diets for your clients or do you provide them with foods to eat as part of the program?
HD: Apart from personal training, I studied Sports Nutrition, so I do set up specific diet plans for those who are seeking it. But mainly to those who are training with me so that I know what they are consuming and plan their workouts accordingly (in terms of protein, carbs, sugar, etc.)”
AN: Walk me through how you start a class.
HD: If you asked any of my clients they probably know the start of my class by heart. I almost ALWAYS start off with high knees, jumping jacks, rope jumping, heeltaps and toe taps for a few minutes. Then we go into the real deal and everyday it is something different. We never ever repeat the same class and I guess that is what always makes it more exciting.
What is your philosophy of training?
To me, the greatest machine created is the human body and it should be explored, exerted, and esteemed.
AN: Imagine a client disappointed or discouraged with your training. How do you keep them motivated enough to get through the workout?
HD: I never like to push any of my clients over their limit. I always tell them: ‘If I would know you couldn’t do this, then I would never try and make you do this exercise. But if today you feel you can’t do it, then just tone your effort down.’ A trainer should always know the difference between training to be an athlete and training to be fit. We’re not in a competition or a race. This is something we do to stay fit or get fit. If I push my client to a point where she can’t handle it, she will either get injured or she will be angry and feel that she can’t wait to leave and never do this again.
AN: What do you think is the biggest mistake most people make when setting up a workout routine? Do you feel certain principles of living a healthy life are understated?
HD: Many people think that working out is for losing weight. In reality it isn’t that. Working out helps you lose weight but it’s not the number one factor. Food is the number one factor. Working out helps burn calories and tone your body, and that’s what I look for.
AN: October is breast cancer awareness month. ‘Flex for a Cause’ was an event you recently organized to raise awareness on the dangers of the disease. Your idea was to promote the importance of health, fitness and prevent the occurrence of the disease.
HD: Every few years I like to do something different in October to increase breast cancer awareness. In 2010 I collaborated with my husband Mokhtar Chahine and a good friend, makeup artist Inas Hammoud. We worked on Project Pink, which was our way of giving hope and support through fun and exciting pictures rather than sad ones. The feedback was incredible and everyone loved it. This year, I collaborated with my friend and fellow trainer Yum Fayez, as well as Lojain Al-Refae, to create a fun event with workout sessions that would help our clients to understand the importance of staying fit and prevent this disease. Being who we are, that alone didn’t feel enough. So I asked event planner Ghadeer Ashoor if she would be interested in joining and of course she agreed in a heartbeat. My husband then offered to create social media material by documenting in pictures the days leading up to the event and the day itself. The team was then complete. The proceeds of the tickets we sold for this event went to Zahra Breast Cancer Association.
AN: What services did you provide visitors at the venue?
HD: Our event planner created a theme where everyone can just come in, feel at home and be comfortable. People came and sat on the grass, others were taking pictures at the photo-booth, and the rest were just mingling and walking around. This really brought joy to my heart. Rolina Alwasia, assistant professor at KAAU and consultant in radiation oncology, gave everyone information about the disease, how to prevent it, and especially showed everyone how to do their own self-exam. Then, Lojain Al-Refae (One Fit) started off the workout with a fun and jumpy kickboxing routine. I took them into a Barre burn & Pilates routine. Yum Fayez (Yumz Yoga) ended the workout with a beautiful and peaceful yoga routine. The guests felt amazing and treated themselves with food and drinks provided by Finger Food Factory and Tangy Touty with their detox beverages. It was really a remarkable event and for an important cause, and I would love to do this every year!
AN: Where do you see yourself in five years, and what goals would you like to have achieved by then?
HD: “I hope to at least have a child inshallah and I will drift my focus to being a mom with maybe less training but hopefully more awareness. I don’t like to think too big, but I just hope to always stay humble, continue doing what I’m doing, and never lose the love and passion for health and fitness to just strictly do business.”
Contact Hala Al-Dakhil to book your session at: [email protected].
