BY MARIA COMETTI
From Riyadh to Mt. Everest, Nelly Attar aims to MOVE the world. She is well on her way! Take one step into MOVE, Nelly Attar’s new dance studio, and you are sure to forget your problems and challenges, and enjoy an energizing and inspiring fitness experience.
Nelly’s motivation to start the boutique studio Move was simply to get more people MOVing! She has made a fitness career out of empowering and training women and her enthusiasm is contagious.
Of Lebanese nationality but born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Nelly knows that obesity in Saudi Arabia is a growing health concern, and it is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. “There is a clearly a crisis here relating to unhealthy lifestyles and lack of movement,” explains Nelly. “Through a variety of activities that caters to a wide age range and all fitness levels, MOVE strives to enable as many people of Riyadh to get active and tackle the sedentary lifestyle.”
Before starting Move, Nelly worked as a part-time fitness instructor for over 5 years, while working a full-time job in psychology/mental health. As sports and dance were two of Nelly’s greatest passions in life, she started focusing more energy and time on that aspect of her work. Nelly adds, “I decided to set up a platform for dance and functional training to get more and more people across the Kingdom active, while also creating work opportunities for others in the industry.” The platform quickly grew into a full-time commitment.
“The studio started off from an underutilized warehouse at my stepfather’s office building – with only one trainer (myself), an intern (assisting with bookings and registrations), and my mother supporting with refurbishing the space.” says Nelly. Move has now expanded into an entire property with 4 separate studios, 12 trainers, and a wonderful community of females who are passionate about the movement.
The studio offers a variety of fitness and dance classes, for women and children. Participants can join and pay for only one session or avail one of the class packages. If someone undecided on which class to attend, Nelly offers this advice: “If you want to dance and learn choreography, then one of our dance classes would be best. If you aim to break a sweat and get a good workout, then join one of our fitness classes.” Choreography based sessions include: Hip Hop, Bollywood, Afrobeats, Belly, and Latin dance.
Dance-Fitness includes Zumba, BellyFit, and Konga while Fitness/Functional Training includes High Intensity Interval Training, Pilates, Yoga, Bodyweight Training, Core Training, Mobility, and seasonal Running Club.
The community, ambience, and passion that resonates in the studio separate Move from other dance studios. Nelly explains, “The positive energy that people bring is contagious. Moreover, one thing that really strikes me is the level of support that people provide -clients supporting each other during and outside of class, trainers supporting each other in new challenges/class methods, staff members continuously supporting clients and trainers, and everyone coming together to support the growth of the studio.”
Nelly doesn’t only work from her studio; Move recently launched fitness trips (overseas) and mountain expeditions. Most notably, Nelly will be attempting the summit of Everest (highest peak in the world at 8,848 meters) from April-June 2019. “This is one of the most difficult challenges a climber can embark on in a lifetime, but it is certainly worthwhile” Nelly says. Through this challenge, Nelly aims to inspire women and youth in Saudi Arabia to become physically active and courageous in whatever it is they want to pursue in life. When Nelly summits Everest, she will make history in the Arab region as the first Lebanese female, second female from Saudi Arabia, and one of the very few Arabs to reach the summit of Everest.
Whether in the studio, on a fitness trip, or attempting to summit Everest, Nelly believes this is only the beginning. “This is just the start of what we are trying to create, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds over the days and years to come. Come join the MOVEment!”
TESTIMONIAL:
“My experience of the past 6 months at Move was nothing but encouragement, love and respect. Move’s community inspires me to constantly work/challenge and empower myself, explore different varieties of dance, and most importantly, it made me realize that I am capable of doing things I never thought I would.
I started off by giving two dancing classes for kids and I en.joyed every step with their little passionate minds, And nowadays I provide five dancing classes per a week for kids and adult. I gained so much confidence and patience throughout this whole experience that I will always be grateful for, and now because of Move, I am in a place where i feel motivated and willing to motivate others, knowledgeable and ready to teach, grownup and humbled to share my growth.” -Noura Abdulaziz
MOVE
Sulaimaniyah, Riyadh 12234
Tel: +966-53-111-5340Email: info@moveriyadh.com
Instagram: @moveriyadh
