Wikipedia

GymNation

GymNation (founded in 2018) is a chain of fitness centers headquartered in Dubai, with operations in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.[4][5] It is one of the largest fitness providers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.[6]

GymNation
TypePrivate
IndustryFitness
Founded2018[1]
Founders
  • Loren Holland
  • Frank Afeaki
  • Ant Martland[1][2]
Headquarters
Dubai
,
United Arab Emirates
Number of locations
40+
Area served
United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain
Key people
Loren Holland (CEO), Frank Afeaki (COO), and Ant Martland (CCO)[3]
Number of employees
811 (2026) Edit this on Wikidata
Websitewww.gymnation.com

History

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GymNation was founded by Loren Holland, Frank Afeaki, and Ant Martland.[1][7] The first location opened in June 2018 in Al Quoz, Dubai, as a 24-hour low-cost gym model.[8] In May 2021, the company became the official sponsor of the United Arab Emirates national rugby union team.[9]

In February 2022, the JD Sports Fashion Group announced an investment into GymNation in its bid to expand within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.[10][11][12][13] However, in November 2023, the original founders completed a management buyout of the equity held by JD Sports.[14][15][16]

The company begin operations in Saudi Arabia in August 2024 and Bahrain in December 2025.[17][18][19]

In May 2026, GymNation obtained a $100 million private credit facility from HPS Investment Partners.[20] The financing followed the company’s 2023 management buyout and was associated with the exit of Ruya Partners, an earlier backer of the company.[21] At the time, GymNation operated about 50 clubs in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and reported more than 200,000 members.[22]

Operations

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GymNation locations have cardio equipment, free weights, and functional training zones. Most of the branches operate as gender-segregated facilities to comply with local requirements in Saudi Arabia and Sharjah.[23] The company also provides women-only studios at specific UAE sites.[24]

In early 2026, the company published the UAE & KSA Health & Fitness Report, a study of over 15,000 residents which found that 51% of its members had never previously held a gym membership.[25]

The company is a regional partner for Hyrox, operating dedicated "Hyrox Performance Centres" and hosting a regional league in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.[6][26][27]

Awards and recognition

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  • UAE Employee Happiness Awards: Best Company to Work For – SME (2024).[28]
  • Arabian Business: 100 Most Admired Companies in the Middle East (2024).[29]
  • Fast Company Middle East: Brands That Matter (2025).[30]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 Hamdan, Lubna (16 February 2018). "Entrepreneurs of the Week: GymNation's Frank Afeaki and Loren Holland". Arabian Business. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  2. ↑ "Leaders behind the UAE's most successful gyms, fitness centres, and boutique studios". Gulf News. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  3. ↑ "Fast Company Names GymNation as a 2025 Brand That Matters". Fitt Insider. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
  4. ↑ Trazo, Dwynn (19 July 2018). "Staying Fit: Inside GymNation, the UAE's first 24-hour gym". Gulf News. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  5. ↑ Pearson, Emma (19 February 2018). "Dubai's largest gym set to open next month". Time Out. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  6. 1 2 Freedman, Ani (2026-05-07). "GymNation Launches Hyrox League, Other Formats in Middle East". Athletech News. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  7. ↑ "GymNation buyout: original founders take back control". Gulf Business. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
  8. ↑ Murphy, Darragh (11 June 2018). "Dubai's most affordable gym opens". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  9. ↑ "تعاون بين رجبي الإمارات و"جيم نيشن"". Al-Bayan (in Arabic). 24 June 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  10. ↑ Imogen Lillywhite,"UK's JD Gyms acquires UAE's GymNation, eyes GCC expansion". zawya.com. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Britain's JD Sports buys up UAE-based GymNation". gulfnews.com. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  12. ↑ Sambidge, Andrew (16 February 2022). "UK fitness giant inks deal to buy UAE gym start-up brand". arabianbusiness.com. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  13. ↑ "JD Sports Fashion "encouraged" by UAE-based GymNation as group-wide profits fall". zawya.com. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  14. ↑ "UAE fitness brand GymNation announces major equity buyout - Arabian Business: Latest News on the Middle East, Real Estate, Finance, and More". Arabian Business. 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  15. ↑ "GymNation buyout: original founders take back control". Gulf Business. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  16. ↑ "UAE fitness brand GymNation announces major equity buyout". arabianbusiness.com. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "Saudi Arabia embraces fitness: GymNation sees record 12,000 sign-ups in 3 days". Saudigazette. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  18. ↑ "GymNation takes over Fitness First Motor City branch, invests AED70mn - Construction Week Online". 2024-08-12. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  19. ↑ "GymNation Sees 3,000 Sign-Ups in 24 Hours Ahead of First Bahrain Gym Opening". Fitt Insider. 2 January 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  20. ↑ Salian, Neesha. "GymNation secures $100m credit facility from HPS Investment Partners to fund expansion". Gulf Business. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  21. ↑ Sette, Sam (2026-05-21). "GymNation Lands $100M to Expand Across the Middle East and Asia". Fitt Insider. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  22. ↑ "GymNation secures $100m BlackRock-backed investment to fuel GCC and Asia expansion". Arabian Business. 2026-05-19. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  23. ↑ "Sweat it out at GymNation – now open in Riyadh". What’s On Saudi Arabia. June 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  24. ↑ "Ladies Gym in Sharjah - The Best Ones to Choose From". Property Finder. 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  25. ↑ Hudson, Kath (2026-02-02). "Gymnation 2026 report finds 51 per cent of new joiners are first time health club members". Health Club Management. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  26. ↑ "GymNation Expands HYROX Footprint Across the Middle East". All Things Fitness and Wellness. 8 May 2026. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
  27. ↑ "GymNation continues to build the Middle East's biggest Hyrox community | GymNation | Press Release". Health Club Management. 2026-05-13. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  28. ↑ "GymNation celebrates double victory at UAE Employee Happiness Awards". Health Club Management. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  29. ↑ "Revealed: The Arabian Business 100 Most Admired Companies for 2024". Arabian Business. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  30. ↑ "Fast Company names GymNation as a 2025 Brand That Matters". Health Club Management. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
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