The new GymNation UAE & KSA Health & Fitness Report 2026 is now live showing rising participation, strong health outcomes, and continued demand for affordable fitness – with the majority of non-gym-goers citing price as their primary barrier to joining a gym. Originally published in The Saudi Times, this report underscores Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation and the shift toward a more active society.
Comprised from over 745,000 data points and building on its 2025 study, the UAE & KSA Health & Fitness Report 2026 captures insights from 15,322 respondents across the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, representing a 59% increase in participation year-on-year. This makes it the most comprehensive examination of health, fitness, and wellbeing ever conducted in the region.
“Our role as the region’s movement partner is to make fitness affordable and accessible to everyone,” says Loren Holland, Founder and CEO of GymNation. “The GymNation Fitness report, now in its second year, confirms what we see every day: there is a growing demand from the people of the UAE and KSA to lead more active and healthier lifestyles, and affordability unlocks participation – at GymNation we’re committed to proving that as we expand across the GCC and beyond.”
Vision 2030 in action: a healthier, more active Kingdom
Saudi Arabia’s fitness transformation is accelerating in line with Vision 2030, which places physical activity, quality of life, and wellbeing at the forefront of national development.
Health aspiration levels in the Kingdom are exceptionally high. 94% of respondents want to improve their health, while 93% prioritize improving their mental wellbeing, reflecting growing awareness of the connection between exercise, mental health, and productivity.
Encouragingly, 65% report their health has improved compared to last year, demonstrating that national investment in facilities, programmes, and access is delivering measurable outcomes.
Barriers to Fitness: Progress with Clear Priorities
While participation is increasing, the report identifies key challenges shaping fitness adoption in Saudi Arabia.
- Women’s fitness access continues to improve. Among female respondents in Saudi Arabia, 73% report having adequate or improving access to quality gyms, signalling strong progress under the Vision 2030 mandate – while also highlighting continued opportunity for further investment.
- Affordability remains the primary barrier. Price is the number one reason cited for not joining a gym, reinforcing the importance of accessible pricing models to support Vision 2030 participation targets.
- Gymtimidation is lower in Saudi Arabia than in the UAE. Thanks in part to world-class separate men’s and women’s facilities, levels of gymtimidation are significantly lower, with 45% of women and 32% of men reporting any feelings of intimidation, compared to higher levels in mixed-gender environments elsewhere.
Expanding Access Through Affordable Fitness
Saudi Arabia is seeing strong growth in first-time gym participation. Among GymNation members surveyed, 51% had no gym membership in the 12 months prior to joining, highlighting how affordable fitness models are lowering barriers and expanding access to structured exercise across the Kingdom. This influx of new gym-goers represents a critical opportunity to support long-term behaviour change through education, equipment orientation, and welcoming environments.
Fitness Investment and Activity Levels are Rising
Despite wider economic pressures, commitment to fitness in Saudi Arabia remains strong. 42% of respondents increased their fitness spending in the past year, and many plan to increase spending again in 2026. Activity levels continue to rise, with 46% exercising four or more times per week. While participation rates are higher in some UAE cities, the data points to significant growth potential across Saudi cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah.
Building a healthier Saudi Arabia
The findings confirm that Saudi Arabia has entered a new phase of fitness growth – one closely aligned with Vision 2030 objectives around participation, wellbeing, and quality of life.
“What we’re seeing is a fundamental shift in how the region engages with fitness,” says Holland. “As affordability improves and participation broadens, we’re not just growing the market – we’re creating healthier outcomes, stronger long-term engagement, and a deeper connection between fitness, mental well-being, and everyday life.”
