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GymNation, the fastest-growing fitness brand in Saudi Arabia, has announced plans to accelerate its expansion following the opening of its 20th gym in the Middle East, marking its first six locations in Saudi Arabia.
Reflecting on GymNation’s rapid growth and successful entry into the Saudi Arabian market, Loren Holland, GymNation Founder & CEO, said: “We’ve opened ten gyms this year, six of which are in Saudi Arabia — all on time, on budget, and exceeding membership expectations. We’ve received a very warm welcome and found Saudi Arabia to be a highly business-friendly environment, facilitated by ongoing support from the Ministry of Investment (MISA), who have been instrumental in GymNation’s expansion into the Kingdom.”
With a government-led push to increase fitness participation, GymNation is already helping to break down affordability barriers, making fitness more accessible and welcoming across the Kingdom. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of creating a healthier, more active society.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time, and GymNation wants to be at the forefront of these initiatives as the region’s ‘movement partner.’ We are excited to continue championing healthy and active lifestyles, supporting the communities we serve to become better versions of themselves, no matter their fitness goals,” added Holland.
GymNation’s affordable pricing model, high-quality facilities, and community-focused approach have already attracted over 25,000 members in Saudi Arabia, with 44% being first-time gym users. Notably, demand from female members has outpaced that of males, a trend attributed to GymNation’s uniform pricing across genders, which has resonated strongly in a market where female-only gyms are often priced higher than male counterparts.
“We’ve seen particularly strong demand from Saudi women, where female membership numbers have outpaced those of men. Our uniform pricing across genders has resonated strongly with a market where female-only gyms are often priced significantly higher than their male counterparts.”
In addition to physical expansion, GymNation—already recognized as a leading leisure operator for its adoption of AI technology—plans to further scale its investment in technology, automation, and AI to streamline processes, personalize member experiences, and improve retention.
With a population of over 35 million and a fitness penetration rate of around 5-7%, the KSA market presents significant opportunities, with projections suggesting that the fitness market will double in the next 3-5 years. GymNation has ambitious plans for the next 12 months.
“The GCC market is growing at 15-20% a year, and we have invested in our company infrastructure to grow at pace and capitalize on what we feel is a generational opportunity,” said Holland.
The company plans to open 20-30 new gyms within the next 12 months, including its first locations in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. With ambitions to expand to over 100 locations across the GCC, GymNation is well-positioned to lead the region’s rapidly growing fitness industry.
