Dubai’s fitness scene just got a major upgrade. Athlo has officially launched in the city, giving gym-goers a whole new way to use their memberships. The app allows members to sell unused class slots and get back 60% of the value, tackling what founder Matthew Mansell calls “subscription fatigue” in the wellness industry.
Mansell, a former British rugby player, created Athlo after leaving his finance career and realising he couldn’t make full use of multiple gym memberships. The app soft-launched in the UAE in July and has already smashed the UK’s initial booking numbers, showing that Dubai is ready for a smarter, more flexible way to stay active.
New Fitness App Athlo: Here’s How it Works
- List your unused gym or fitness class slots for sale
- Other users can grab these slots quickly through the app
- Once sold, the original member earns 60%, Athlo takes 25%, and the gym gets 15% extra revenue
Users can book classes as little as 30 minutes before they start. “You could be finishing a meeting in Dubai Marina with an hour to spare — hop onto the app and book a class immediately,” Mansell explained.
Athlo has partnered with multiple fitness centres while also offering non-partnered bookings, giving users access to the broader wellness ecosystem. And soon, the platform will expand beyond fitness classes to include sports bookings, making it even more versatile for active lifestyles.
For anyone looking to rethink how they stay fit, Athlo is a game-changer. And for those planning ahead, the city’s fitness calendar is packed: Dubai Fitness Challenge returns this November with a month-long celebration of fitness. Those who want something new, can check out Dubai Mallathon, a new initiative turning the city’s famous malls into running spaces over the summer.
