GymNation Launches Hyrox League, Other Formats in Middle East

Fitness phenomenon Hyrox is expanding access to race-specific training in the Middle East through an integration with GymNation.

Although no formal races are planned in the region, the Middle East’s largest gym chain is incorporating Hyrox competitions, the expansion of women-only training sessions and designated performance centers to ensure Hyrox athletes across the region have access to places to train, compete and progress.

Middle East expansion

Facilities throughout Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will implement Hyrox League, a multi-club competition where athletes face off in qualifying rounds leading up to the final.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates will see its first Hyrox Performance Center open in Dubai, as GymNation cements its role as the Hyrox community-builder throughout the Middle East.

That center will house Hyrox Weekender: a two-day competition June 13-14 featuring singles and doubles divisions and a total prize pool of AED 30,000 (roughly $8,100).

Women's programming

For female athletes in the area, GymNation is growing its women-only Hyrox programming, with the Dubai Performance Center hosting dedicated training sessions coached by female trainers. The addition rounds out GymNation’s female-only Hyrox sessions in every country in which it operates.

“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,” said GymNation chief marketing officer Rory McEntee.

“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,” McEntee added. “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.”

As GymNation deepens its Hyrox integration, the operator is also looking to grow its own footprint across the Middle East, with planned expansion across areas including Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.