A fitness suit, touted to be revolutionary, has arrived in the UAE and is promising to take away the pain and sweat out of working out your muscles for a leaner you.
Easy Motion Skin, a company headquartered in Austria, is behind the sales of the blue-coloured outfit which has been designed by German scientist Dr Dirk Fritzche and is expanding operations in the country after establishing good testimonials with top athletes and even astronauts in Germany.
Bringing the product is Jan Ising, who has helped set-up events at places like the Burj Khalifa and Expo2020. “It can help lose weight, firm your skin and help get rid of cellulite and all this without causing back pain while also improving any disbalances caused by wrong habits from daily life,” says Ising.
The concept is nothing new, the company admits. “We are only reinventing the old way of Electromyography (EMG) in which the brain sends a signal to the muscles,” Ising explains. “In the late 70s, experiments were conducted on frogs with electrodes attached to their leg muscles to see how long they could leap. Until recently too, body suits with complex wires and gadgets attached have been in use but the movement is severely restricted and impractical.”
“Our suit is powered by a small, long-lasting battery and made up of washable, comfortable material with humidity not a factor and the high-quality electrodes are placed to target eight different muscle categories – without troubling yourself or risking back pain and potentially more injuries and damage then the good done by working out.
“However, once you get used to it – even 20-minute sessions twice a week is enough – you need mobility to work your muscles on a professional level; for which one usually recommends a trainer.”
Billing the suit as “the world’s smallest gym”, the development team led by Mr Ising is so confident that they are encouraging people to see the proof in the pudding themselves by trying it out. The suit comes in a Home Edition for individual users and a Studio Edition for those looking to share it or rent it among a larger benefactor base.
“We are looking at direct marketing where they can buy the suit from us online or collect it from our partner gyms or personal trainers,” Ising adds. “It is a sustainable system where the suit is used in conjunction with the experts who believe in the system.”
To complement the suit, the company has also collaborated with other products which work on a similar EMG concept. There is the ReLounge chair, an arching table with electrodes placed on the back region. There is another massage table, a flat one, which has a slow and steady, but similar relaxation effect on the back muscles especially.
“Our products are where science meets lifestyle. We are activating your muscles, improving mobility and increasing endurance.
“We can provide follow-up support for clinics and physios for: sin tightening for mothers, muscle building after surgeries, compensation of disbalances in body muscles, optimize training results, an immediate solution for cellulite issues – all with the push of a button.”
Jan Ising, left, guiding Yolanda in Dubai. The electrodes, sewn into the suit to target key areas, are visible. Sanita Lapinska / EMS
Though the suit is a fitness and lifestyle product in the UAE for starters, it is registered with medical authorities in Europe.
Their headquarters in Seefel, Austria, also known as the Dome, is being used as a training facility for top athletes. The company is working with the European Space Agency, SpaceX, the Centre for Space, Medicine & Extreme Environments in Berlin and the word of mouth is growing.
Another brand ambassador is Kai Kazmirek, a German decathlete, who had swelled to 120kg in weight during a complex injury lay-off. After using the suit, his recovery has fastened and what would have taken a year took only three months, Ising claims.
The suit was presented to a select audience at the expansive AB Fitness facility in Port Rashid, Dubai. Yolanda Banda, a marketing executive by profession and a fitness freak, got curious and decided to don the blue kit. “I did it only for 10 minutes but I can still feel my muscles twitching. It is a great feeling,” she said.
The home edition is priced roughly around 12,500 dirhams and can be ordered online from their website.
Indian nationals in the UAE will have to pay more for passport and related consular services from July 1, following a revision in fees announced by the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
The new charges apply to passport applications submitted through the embassy, consulate and the new Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the UAE.
Why are the fees increasing?
The revised charges follow updated passport rules introduced by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on June 20. The new fee structure applies to Indian passport services worldwide, including in the UAE.
What are the new passport fees?
The revised fees are as follows:
36-page passport (new or renewal): Dh450
60-page passport (new or renewal): Dh630
36-page Tatkal passport: Dh900
60-page Tatkal passport: Dh1,080
Replacement of a lost or damaged 36-page passport: Dh900
Tatkal replacement of a lost or damaged 36-page passport: Dh1,350
Replacement of a lost or damaged 60-page passport: Dh1,080
Tatkal replacement of a lost or damaged 60-page passport: Dh1,530
Who will be affected?
The revised fees apply to all eligible passport applications submitted from July 1, including:
New passport applications.
Passport renewals.
Tatkal (urgent) applications.
Replacement of lost or damaged passports.
What should applicants do?
If you’re planning to apply for or renew your Indian passport in the UAE, check the revised fees before booking your appointment.
The updated charges will apply at:
Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi.
Consulate General of India, Dubai.
Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the UAE.
With around 4.5 million Indians living in the UAE, the revised fee structure will affect one of the country’s largest overseas communities.
UAE fast bowler Khuzaima Tanveer has credited the DP World ILT20 with accelerating his rise to international cricket, saying the league gave him the confidence and experience needed to represent the UAE on the global stage.
The 26-year-old, who made his international debut earlier this year, believes competing alongside some of the world’s top cricketers helped prepare him for the demands of international cricket.
“Representing the UAE was a proud moment for me and it’s something every young cricketer dreams about. The DP World ILT20 helped prepare me because you’re constantly competing against high-quality players. It gives you confidence that you belong on the international stage,” he said.
Breakthrough performances
Khuzaima announced himself during DP World ILT20 Season 3 with impressive figures of 4/22 against Sharjah Warriorz.
Since joining the Desert Vipers, he has claimed 24 wickets in 18 matches across two seasons. During the Vipers’ title-winning campaign, he finished with 17 wickets, making him the second-highest UAE wicket-taker in the tournament and third overall. He was also shortlisted for the Blue Belt, awarded to the competition’s best UAE player.
Learning from the world’s best
Khuzaima said one of the league’s biggest advantages is the opportunity to learn from elite players and coaches.
“A lot of the learning happens during training sessions, team meetings and conversations. I was fortunate to share the dressing room with Sam Curran, Naseem Shah and Lockie Ferguson. Even small pieces of advice from players like them help you become a better cricketer.”
He also described interacting with legendary fast bowlers Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram as one of the highlights of his career.
Inspired, not compared
While fans have compared his bowling action to Pakistan legend Waqar Younis, Khuzaima insists he is focused on building his own identity.
“Waqar Younis is a legend of the game. If people see similarities, I take it as a compliment, but my focus is on becoming the best version of myself.”
Eyes on future
Now a UAE international, Khuzaima says wearing the national jersey comes with greater responsibility.
“Once you represent the UAE, people expect more from you and you expect more from yourself. My aim is to keep improving, perform consistently and contribute whenever I get the opportunity.”
He also praised UAE captain Muhammad Waseem for setting an example for local players, saying his performances in the DP World ILT20 have shown that Emirati cricketers can compete with the world’s best.
Looking ahead to DP World ILT20 Season 5, Khuzaima hopes to continue developing his game and make the most of every opportunity.
“Every season brings new challenges and new opportunities to learn. My goal is to keep improving, contribute to my team and continue making the most of the opportunities the DP World ILT20 provides.”
Two of Dubai’s largest Catholic churches have resumed full operations, ending temporary restrictions introduced in April and allowing parishioners to return to normal church activities.
Here’s what has changed.
Which churches have reopened?
The following churches are now fully open from July 1:
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Oud Metha
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Jebel Ali
Both churches confirmed they are resuming all parish activities following the latest directives from the authorities.
What restrictions have been lifted?
Parishioners can now:
Attend all Masses and services.
Participate in parish activities and community events.
Return to regular church life without the temporary attendance restrictions.
Why were restrictions introduced?
The measures, announced in April, were aimed at preventing overcrowding and included:
Suspension of outdoor church activities.
Weekend Masses limited to adults aged 18 and above.
Mandatory online registration.
No entry for children or unregistered visitors.
Livestreamed Masses for those unable to attend.
Are any guidelines still in place?
Yes. While churches have fully reopened, worshippers are encouraged to continue following any applicable guidelines and to be respectful and considerate of others during services.
What does this mean for parishioners?
The reopening restores normal parish life, allowing families and worshippers to once again take part in religious services, community events and other church activities without the temporary restrictions.