In one of my university courses, I regularly cover the topic of new markets in the health and fitness industry as well as internationalization. Following my last article about the rise of the
health & fitness industry in Asia, this analysis explores the latest trends in the Middle East.
This article is based on a survey conducted by Gymnation, an operator of fitness events in the region, as well as an analysis of governmental policies in Qatar, Dubai, and KSA, along with personal insights and interviews with key stakeholders in the region.

Having lived and worked for five years in Qatar with my family, I witnessed firsthand how sports and fitness were still in their infancy at the time - back in 2005-2010. Fitness clubs were primarily catering to expats rather than locals, and the concept of structured fitness training was only beginning to take shape. My role as Head Coach for Athletics at ASPIRE Academy gave me a unique perspective on how governments were starting to integrate sports into education, recognizing that not all junior athletes would become Olympic champions—but at the very least, they would understand the lifelong benefits of regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

Fast forward to today, and the Middle East’s fitness landscape has completely transformed. Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are now at the forefront of promoting active lifestyles, public health initiatives, and fitness accessibility. The latest UAE & KSA Health & Fitness Report 2025 by GYMNATION, a gym operator in the region, highlights just how much progress has been made, with fitness participation skyrocketing across the region, but at the same time leaving some space for further development.

Key Insights: A Growing Fitness Culture
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1. A Strong Desire for Healthier Lifestyles
92% of respondents in KSA and the UAE want to improve their health—a significantly higher percentage than in the UK (76%) and the USA (75%). Additionally, 64% have improved their health over the past year, while 26% have maintained their fitness levels. This reflects a shifting mindset in the region, with more individuals embracing fitness as a long-term commitment.

2. A Boom in First-Time Gym-Goers
Over 56% of people in Saudi Arabia and 58% in the UAE did not have a gym membership in the previous 12 months, yet 82% say they are at least somewhat active. This means that more people are engaging in physical activity, even if they are not part of a traditional gym environment.
The market is experiencing rapid growth, with low-cost gym memberships expected to increase by 30-45% annually over the next five years. This trend mirrors the fitness boom in the UK between 2011 and 2019, when affordable gym models expanded the fitness sector significantly.

3. Affordability and Accessibility Remain Key Barriers
While enthusiasm for fitness is at an all-time high, challenges remain. The report highlights that cost is the biggest factor preventing people from joining gyms, with 51% in KSA and 53% in the UAE stating that gym memberships are too expensive.
It is worth noting that Dubai and Riyadh rank among the world's most expensive cities for gym memberships, surpassing London and New York. However, the rise of budget-friendly, high-quality gym options is expected to make fitness more accessible to a broader audience.

4. Mental Well-Being and Fitness Are Closely Linked
The report confirms that fitness is not just about physical health—92% of respondents value exercise for mental well-being and stress reduction. Additionally, nearly half of gym-goers see the gym as a social space, forming friendships and finding motivation within a supportive community.

5. Technology and Digital Fitness Are on the Rise
More than 60% of people in KSA and the UAE use wearable fitness technology, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, to monitor their workouts. Additionally, there is growing interest in virtual fitness programs, AI-driven coaching, and hybrid workout models that combine in-person and digital training.

Government-Led Initiatives Driving Fitness Growth
One of the most remarkable aspects of this transformation is the role of government policies. The UAE's Dubai Fitness Challenge and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 are prime examples of how national strategies can successfully encourage a more active population. These initiatives not only promote personal well-being but also contribute to economic growth by supporting the fitness industry.
Saudi Arabia, in particular, is experiencing one of the fastest fitness market growth rates in the world (16.8% CAGR from 2020-2023), with women’s participation in gyms increasing at an even faster rate than men’s due to recent policy changes.

What’s Next for the Fitness Industry in the Middle East?
The findings suggest a bright future for the fitness sector in the Gulf Region. To sustain this growth, affordability, accessibility, and education will be key. More budget-friendly gyms, increased public workout spaces, and fitness education programs will ensure that people not only join gyms but continue their fitness journey long-term.
From my own experience, I have seen firsthand how public health programs and initiatives can positively impact communities in the region. It’s exciting to see the Middle East embracing a fitness-driven future, where health and wellness are becoming a priority for all.

Outlook
The Middle East is at a pivotal moment in its health and fitness evolution. With strong government backing, increasing accessibility to fitness facilities, and a growing cultural shift towards active living, the region is setting new benchmarks for public health and fitness engagement.
Looking ahead, the challenge will be to maintain this momentum by ensuring fitness remains inclusive and sustainable. As affordability improves and digital fitness solutions continue to grow, even more people will be able to embrace a healthier lifestyle.

For fitness professionals, educators, and policymakers, this is an opportunity to further drive engagement and create long-term, sustainable health solutions.

One of the most exciting developments in the region has been the rise of fitness racing, with HYROX leaving its footprint in the UAE and Qatar. With successful events in Dubai and Doha, and an upcoming HYROX event in Sharjah in April 2025, it is clear that fitness racing is rapidly gaining popularity.
The concept of combining running with functional workouts has caught the attention of policymakers and fitness enthusiasts alike, making it a key driver in the region’s evolving fitness culture.

The future of fitness in Gulf region is bright—and I am excited to see how this remarkable transformation unfolds.

What are your thoughts on the region’s growing fitness movement? Have you seen similar trends in your community? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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I have already dealt with this topic in the last course with my students: Fitness, is the fastest growing "sport" in the world. despite the COVID pandemic. The demand for fitness is not only for gyms, fitness studios, CrossFit boxes, micro,- or yoga studios. Fitness competitions are becoming more and more popular. Although there has been a slight dip in participation rates due to COVID in 2020 and 2021; most competition formats have come out of the crisis in good shape. Whether Crossfit Games, Spatan Race, Mudder Games or other OCRs.
One competition format that has established itself in recent years - not only in Germany but throughout Europe - is HYROX. The target group are the millions of worldwide athletes who call Functional Fitness their sport. Up to now, there have hardly been any comparable, measurable fitness events for everyone. HYROX, that is the ultimate challenge: A perfect combination of strength, endurance and speed, for all performance and age groups!

I have been following the event since 2019, when I listened to a podcast with one of the founders of the fitness series, Moritz Fürste, Germany's most successful hockey player. Fürste was able to explain the motivation and concept of the event in the sports business talk and convinced me not only from a business point of view. Since I have a background in athletics - both as an athlete and coach - I fully understand the concept of 8x 1km running in combination with 8 workouts.

Inspired by the talk and the concept, I started training with the goal of completing a HYROX competition myself in April 2020. Due to Corona, of course, that didn't happen for a while, but in September and November 2021 competition was calling: I started in Leipzig and Berlin!

Having an idea and a concept is certainly one thing, but to successfully put such a concept into practice a completely different one!
HYROX or better, the company UpsolutSports GmbH from Hamburg, which is behind the concept, has succeeded greatly! It was a great experience and I had the opportunity - besides the races - to chat to some other athletes and officials. Great success for the event - at least the two events I competed in.

This winter 2022/23 HYROX starts into its 4th season. The DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) countries are the core of the event calendar, so are Spain, Netherlands and the UK. Even in the USA, the largest fitness market in the world, there have already been a number of successful events. Chicago, Dallas, New York or Las Vegas. All first-class organized events, which find more and more enthusiasts. 
I will also also participating again this season and have booked my tickets for two events initially. More to come maybe in 2023.
In addition to the sporting side, HYROX remains a very interesting research object as a business case in the field of fitness events. 

Anlässlich des Weltfrauentages in diesem Jahr hat die englische BBC wieder ihre Umfrageergebnisse zum Thema "Preisgelder im Sport" veröffentlicht.
Laut der BBC Studie, die seit 2014 durchgeführt wird, bietet die überwältigende Mehrheit des Sports nun gleiches Preisgeld für Männer und Frauen bei den Top-Events rund um den Globus.
Von den 48 befragten Sportarten boten 37 Sportarten Preisgelder an , von denen nur drei bei keiner ihrer großen Meisterschaften oder Veranstaltungen gleiche Preisgelder auslobten.
Die größten Preisgeldlücken für männliche und weibliche Athleten gibt es im Fußball, Golf und Basketball.
Für England gesprochen, ist Sportminister Nigel Huddleston zufrieden mit der Entwicklung. "Es ist absolut richtig, dass die Prämien nun übereinstimmen und wir in den letzten Jahren auch eine deutliche Steigerung der Preisgelder im Frauensport  gesehen haben."

Seit der letzten Ausgabe des BBC-Studie zum Thema Preisgeld im Sport, im Jahr 2017 haben Sportarten wie Hockey, Klippentauchen, Surfen und Ringen bei mindestens einem großen Wettbewerb die Parität der Prämien erreicht. Die eher als konservativ geltende Sportart  Cricket hat hier die größten Schritte unternommen, um den Abstand zu verringern.

Es ist das dritte Mal, dass BBC Sport diese globale Studie nach 2014 und 2017 durchführt.
Die 2021er Ausgabe konzentriert sich auf das Preisgeld, das an die Gewinner des Wettbewerbs vergeben wird, und beinhaltet keine Löhne, Boni oder Sponsoring. Zu beachten ist, das einige Sportarten, einschließlich Rugby Union und Rudern, Männern und Frauen bei großen Wettkämpfen keine Preisgelder ausloben.

Den Artikel und die Gesamtübersicht aller Sportarten findet man hier