GymNation

GymNation is a chain of fitness centers based in Dubai.[3][4]

GymNation
TypePrivate
IndustryFitness
Founded2018[1]
FoundersLoren Holland, Frank Afeaki, Ant Martland[1][2]
Headquarters
Dubai
,
United Arab Emirates
Number of locations
8
Area served
United Arab Emirates
Websitewww.gymnation.com

History

GymNation was established by Loren Holland, Frank Afeaki and Ant Martland in 2018.[2] The first GymNation gym opened in June 2018 in Al Quoz, Dubai.[5][6] In 2019, the company opened 2 new gyms, in Bur Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.[7] It added another 4 gyms in 2020, in Mirdif, Dubai Motor City, Silicon Oasis and Khalidiyah Mall in Abu Dhabi.[8]

From March to late May 2020, all GymNation gyms were closed due to COVID-19 lockdown.[9] By mid 2021, GymNation became one of the largest chains of fitness centers in the United Arab Emirates.[10]

In May 2021, GymNation signed a contract with the United Arab Emirates Rugby Federation and became the sponsor of the United Arab Emirates national rugby union team.[11] Also in 2021, Amir Khan, the British boxing champ launched his first boxing academy in the Middle East in partnership with GymNation.[12]

As of January 2022, GymNation had 8 gyms in the United Arab Emirates.[2][13]

Acquisition

In February 2022, JD Sports Gyms, part of FTSE 100 listed group JD Sports announced the acquisition of GymNation in its bid to expand within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.[14][15][16][17]

References
  1. 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. Trazo, Dwynn (19 July 2018). "Staying Fit: Inside GymNation, the UAE's first 24-hour gym". Gulf News. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  4. Pearson, Emma (19 February 2018). "Dubai's largest gym set to open next month". Time Out. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  5. Murphy, Darragh (11 June 2018). "Dubai's most affordable gym opens". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  6. Gibbon, Gavin (30 May 2021). "How the MENA region's fitness industry has bounced back from Covid-19 to full health". Arabian Business. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  7. "Fitness brand GymNation to open in Ras Al Khaimah". Khaleej Times. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  8. "Dubai's GymNation reaches one million member visits milestone". Australasian Leisure Management. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  9. Clarke, Kelly; Webster, Nick (28 May 2020). "Coronavirus: Dubai gyms reopen as Covid-19 restrictions ease". The National (Abu Dhabi). Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  10. "Dubai takes an active approach to fitness during the pandemic". Euronews. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  11. "تعاون بين رجبي الإمارات و"جيم نيشن"" [Cooperation between UAE Rugby and "Game Nation"]. Al-Bayan (in Arabic). 24 June 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  12. "تعاون بينAmir Khan launches boxing academy in the UAE with GymNation". thenationalnews.com. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  13. Hamdan, Lubna (12 June 2018). "Most Dubai residents "not prepared" to pay for high gym memberships". Arabian Business. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  14. Imogen Lillywhite,"UK's JD Gyms acquires UAE's GymNation, eyes GCC expansion". zawya.com. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  15. "Britain's JD Sports buys up UAE-based GymNation". gulfnews.com. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  16. "UK fitness giant inks deal to buy UAE gym start-up brand". arabianbusiness.com. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  17. "JD Sports Fashion "encouraged" by UAE-based GymNation as group-wide profits fall". zawya.com. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
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