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GymNation

Health

GymNation Overview

Known as “The People’s Gym”, GymNation is a chain of fitness centres based in the UAE and Saudi Arabia with the first GymNation opening in June 2018 in Al Quoz, Dubai.

In 2024 GymNation launched in Saudi Arabia, selling out its initial 12,000 memberships in less than 72 hours and setting a new pre-opening sales record for a gym brand in the Middle East.

GymNation has 24 locations across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

It also sponsors the UAE Rugby Federation’s national rugby union team.

Subsidiaries include Hyrox Performance Center, Yalla Chef Meal Plans and Basi Systems

GymNation News

A woman works out at a gym in Qatif, Saudi Arabia. One investor said they had never seen as much interest from VCs in the fitness industry

Golden returns draw investors to fitness markets

Investors are showing increasing interest in homegrown fitness companies, tempted by the “golden egg” returns on offer. The fitness market in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) has been growing at an annual rate of 30 percent since 2020, with the UAE sector valued at an estimated $550 million and Saudi Arabia at $1.7 […]

Gyms such as Leejam are benefiting as Saudi Arabia attempts to motivate its citizens to pursue fitness

Saudi gym chain Leejam pumps up its profits

Leejam Sports Co has reported a net profit of SAR355 million ($94.5 million) for the first nine months of 2024, an increase of 56 percent compared with the same period last year. The Riyadh-based company’s revenue grew 18 percent year on year as subscriptions and membership revenue rose 14 percent, and paid programmes revenue climbed […]

private credit Omar Al Yawer Ruya Partners

Private credit fund looks for $250m from Gulf investors

Ruya Partners, which describes itself as the Gulf’s first partner-owned private credit provider, aims to raise $250 million from investors by mid to late 2024, senior executive Omar Al Yawer has revealed to AGBI.  The Abu Dhabi business says regional sovereign wealth funds have become more amenable to investing in the private credit sector. Private […]

The Saudi fitness sector has growth potential as currently gym members make up only 3.7 percent of the population

Fitness brands shape up for Saudi expansion plans

GymNation, founded in Dubai, has revealed plans to open 50 new fitness centres in Saudi Arabia as it seeks to capitalise on the kingdom’s billion-dollar fitness industry. The mid-market brand was set up six years ago and currently operates 11 gyms in the emirate, with a further six set to open before the summer. Founder […]

Poddster co-founder and CEO Vuk Zlatarov. The Dubai-based podcast company is expanding its studio network across the UAE and Saudi Arabia

Poddster builds on Mena’s podcast popularity

Poddster aims to “democratise” Middle East podcast production by expanding its network of recording studios, capitalising on high listener figures and rising interest in independent content in the Mena region. Founded by Vuk Zlatarov and Ivan Zeljkovic, the Dubai-based podcast company plans to increase its number of UAE studios from three to seven, and launch […]

  • Analysis

PureGym eyes up to 130 branches as part of Mena expansion

UK-based fitness brand PureGym has revealed plans to open branches in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), beginning in the UAE but with Egypt, Kuwait and Oman also on the radar. The company has signed an agreement with its franchise partner, Ektimal, to open at least 130 gyms across the region over the next […]