press release: GymNation
GymNation continues to build the Middle East’s biggest Hyrox community
From Riyadh to Saar to Dubai - GymNation is making sure the Middle East has somewhere to train, compete and progress in Hyrox, despite no confirmed Hyrox races on the calendar.
- Hyrox League is now live at GymNation in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, delivering recurring, competitive Hyrox action to athletes across both markets.
- The Hyrox Weekender lands at the UAE's first Hyrox Performance Centre on 13 & 14 June, with singles and doubles divisions with a massive prize pool.
- GymNation's Al Quoz Performance Centre will now offer ladies-only Hyrox sessions led by female coaches - meaning every country GymNation operates in (UAE, KSA and Bahrain) now has dedicated ladies-only Hyrox training.
GymNation, the region’s fastest-growing fitness brand, today reinforced its position as the home of Hyrox in the region - confirming the expansion of ladies-only Hyrox sessions to a third market and the upcoming Hyrox Weekender in Dubai, on the back of an already busy Hyrox calendar that includes Hyrox League running in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Together, the developments underline a simple commitment: athletes across the GCC have a place to train, compete and progress in Hyrox, regardless of where they live.
With Hyrox League now live across GymNation clubs in KSA and Bahrain - a multi-club competition in which athletes face off across qualifying rounds to earn their place at a grand final, hosted at GymNation Atrium Mall - and the UAE's first Hyrox Performance Centre open in Dubai, GymNation now operates dedicated competitive Hyrox touchpoints in every market it serves - a regional footprint no other operator in the Middle East currently matches. The next chapter is the Hyrox Weekender on 13th and 14th June: a two-day competition at the UAE Performance Centre featuring singles and doubles divisions and a total prize pool of AED 30,000, designed to give athletes of every level - from first-timers chasing a finish line to elites going for the podium - a proper competitive stage at home. With no official Hyrox races yet confirmed on the regional calendar, GymNation felt a responsibility, as the people's gym, to step up and make sure no one in the Middle East has to wait - or fly abroad - to get their Hyrox fix.
In a further move that underscores its commitment to accessibility for all, GymNation is also expanding its ladies-only Hyrox programming. The Performance Centre in Dubai will now host dedicated ladies-only Hyrox sessions, coached by female trainers, in a comfortable and supportive training environment. With this addition, GymNation now offers ladies-only Hyrox sessions in every country in which it operates - the UAE, KSA and Bahrain - reinforcing its commitment to making functional fitness genuinely accessible to everyone in the region, regardless of experience or preference.
Rory McEntee, CMO comments, "Hyrox has exploded across the Middle East over the past few years, and the appetite from our members and the wider community to compete is enormous. With no races yet confirmed for the region, we simply weren't willing to leave athletes waiting - as the people's gym, that's not who we are. Our commitment is simple: whatever your level, whatever your background, everyone in the Middle East deserves a proper competitive stage right here at home. If the official calendar isn't delivering that, we will. That's what it means to be the home of Hyrox in the Middle East."
Frank Afeaki: founder and COO
Ant Martland, founder and CCO
William Rasmussen-Dean, country director
Ishan Patil, head of finance
Ian Mullane, board member
In 2026, GymNation plans to open another 20-30 locations across the GCC, and with many more in the pipeline our aim is to become the largest gym chain across the GCC.
Behind the scenes, we’re diligently advancing our position as a world leading operator in the integration of technology, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
Our commitment extends beyond mere application, aiming to spearhead discussions and set benchmarks within the fitness industry and beyond, ensuring GymNation remains at the cutting edge of innovation.
We’re not just building gyms; our vision is to play a lead role as the region’s movement partner, championing healthy and active lifestyles alongside the importance of mental health and well-being.
