‘Strength doesn’t have an age limit’: Emirati women trainers redefine strength beyond the gym
Photo Credit: Khaleej Times / supplied
Strength takes on a new meaning
For Fatma Al Mansoori, the meaning of strength changed significantly after becoming a mother of three. Her experience led her to view strength not only through physical performance, but also through patience, resilience, balance and the ability to manage different responsibilities.
Her career developed from coaching into fitness and wellness management, giving her a wider perspective on how exercise can influence confidence, energy and everyday life.
Personal trainer Maryam Almheiri followed a different path. Her interest in exercise began when she was in Grade 8 and eventually developed into a professional career focused on helping women build sustainable fitness habits.
Photo Credit: Khaleej Times / supplied
From ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’
One of Al Mansoori’s key observations from coaching is that progress is often visible in confidence rather than simply in physical measurements.
A woman may begin by believing she cannot complete a particular movement or lift a certain weight. With appropriate training and progression, that mindset can gradually change from “I can’t” to “I’ll try” and eventually to “I can”.
Al Mansoori coaches CrossFit and HYROX and says these forms of training can be adapted for different abilities. Exercises, weights, pace and intensity can all be adjusted according to an individual's starting point.
The central idea is that people do not have to reach a certain level of fitness before beginning a training programme. Fitness can develop gradually through consistent training.
Moving beyond the weighing scale
Maryam Almheiri encourages women to look at more than body weight when evaluating their progress.
Changes in energy, mobility, sleep, movement quality and everyday strength can provide useful signs of progress that may not appear on a weighing scale.
Before developing a programme, Almheiri considers factors including age, lifestyle, health history, mobility, previous injuries and personal goals.
Movement and posture assessments can also help identify areas where a client may need additional support before exercise intensity is increased.
- Fitness programmes should be adapted to the individual.
- Strength is not limited to physical performance.
- Movement quality matters before simply increasing intensity.
- Progress can be measured through energy, mobility and daily ability.
- Small, sustainable habits can support long-term fitness.
- Age should not automatically be treated as a barrier to becoming stronger.
Building confidence through training
Both trainers work at FitnGlam, a women-focused fitness and wellness brand in the UAE. The environment they describe places importance on personalised coaching and community support.
Al Mansoori's contribution to the fitness sector was recognised in 2025 when she was named Rising Star of the Year by REPs UAE.
She has also encouraged more Emirati women to see fitness as an industry where they can participate, develop professionally and take leadership roles.
Fitness as a long-term investment
Almheiri's message to younger women is to view health as an investment rather than a temporary project focused only on appearance.
Developing strength can contribute to confidence, independence and the energy needed for everyday responsibilities. The trainers encourage women to begin with manageable habits and build their routines over time.
Their approach focuses on sustainable progress instead of expecting immediate transformation.
Video: UAE women's fitness and training
Watch related FitnGlam and Emirati women's fitness videos on YouTube:
▶ Watch Fitness Videos on YouTubeWhy the message matters
The trainers' approach places fitness in the context of everyday life rather than treating it only as a short-term physical transformation.
Their message is particularly focused on helping women understand that training can be adjusted according to their abilities, experience and goals.
For beginners, that can mean starting with basic movements and gradually increasing difficulty. For experienced participants, it can mean refining technique, building strength or preparing for more demanding challenges.
The broader message from Al Mansoori and Almheiri is straightforward: strength can develop at different stages of life, and fitness does not need to be defined by age or appearance alone.
Key facts
- Fatma Al Mansoori: Emirati fitness leader, coach and mother of three.
- Maryam Almheiri: Personal trainer whose interest in exercise began in Grade 8.
- Training: Al Mansoori coaches CrossFit and HYROX.
- Workplace: Both trainers work at FitnGlam.
- Recognition: Al Mansoori was named REPs UAE Rising Star of the Year in 2025.
- Core message: Sustainable habits, appropriate training and confidence can be more meaningful than focusing only on weight.
Related Reading & Backlinks
Official & Reference Websites
Khaleej Times – Original Report
