GymNation Launches Cooled Group Fitness Class To Beat Summer Heat

As the UAE bakes in record-breaking temperatures, GymNation is turning down the temperature…literally.

The fast-growing GCC gym chain has launched what it’s calling the “world’s coolest class,” a high-intensity group workout designed to help exercisers stay active despite the high heat. The chilled-out fitness experience involves sled pushes with ice blocks, squats in frozen weight vests, wind tunnel-style treadmill “Blizzard Sprints,” a “Glacier Grip Challenge” involving bicep curls and lunges with ice buckets and post-workout ice baths.

More than 1,000 kilograms of ice were shipped in last week alone, according to GymNation, which operates 22 gyms across the UAE and Saudi Arabia and plans to open 20 more in 2025. The class, which is open to members and non-members, is now being offered at select locations each Saturday through July.

This isn’t the first time GymNation has brought out-of-the-box thinking to the fitness scene. Earlier this spring, the fitness operator turned heads with an in-gym hotel concept at its downtown Dubai facility, complete with four-poster beds, dumbbell-shaped towels and a “Press for Protein” button that delivers protein shakes on demand.

Viral fitness concept

Unsurprisingly, the latest concept has gone viral, with hundreds of U.K. social media users calling for the ice-cold fitness experience to be brought to their region. But according to GymNation chief marketing officer Rory McEntee, the class was created as a “genuine solution to the boiling temperatures restricting gym-goers” in the UAE, and there are no plans to bring it to the U.K. yet.

“We’ve seen a huge amount of interest from members since launching the class, and it’s been good fun watching the reaction unfold on social media around the world in the past few days,” McEntee said.

Cold environment benefits

While GymNation’s new fitness experience is a surefire way to cool off, cold-environment training comes with additional perks. Sports scientist Aderito Manuel says the practice may seem daunting at first, but can boost VO2 max by 5–11% and increase calorie burn thanks to the body’s heightened effort to regulate core temperature.

“Cold workouts place additional demands on the cardiovascular system, enhancing heart function and circulation,” Manuel said. “Beyond physical advantages, training in the cold builds mental toughness, requiring focus, discipline and resilience to push through discomfort. Studies show athletes training in cold environments develop up to 17% higher pain tolerance and lower rates of perceived exertion (RPE) post-adaptation.”

Regional expansion plans

As its ice-cold workouts go viral, GymNation is turning up the heat with a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and a series of senior leadership hires.

The operator recently debuted its largest location yet in Riyadh’s Qurtubah district. The facility includes a women-only Reformer Pilates studio, a dedicated glute training zone, an expansive free weights area and a rooftop terrace designed for group workouts and community events. The location also includes a full-service recovery zone with saunas, ice baths and treatment rooms, male and female spin studios, a Mind & Body studio for mobility and yoga, and a Hyrox-affiliated training space.

“Saudi Arabia is experiencing a fitness revolution and we’re proud to provide an environment where people of all fitness levels feel welcomed and motivated,” GymNation founder and CEO Loren Holland said. “We’ve invested significantly to bring not only the biggest gym with the widest selection of equipment and classes Riyadh has ever seen, but also a gym that looks incredible.”