A gym class 2,200 feet above Riyadh: what it really involves

Riyadh has a new kind of training session on the calendar: a 30-minute full-body strength and conditioning class inside a hot air balloon, running every Saturday throughout January with very limited spots.

This isn’t a gimmick “photo moment” with a dumbbell. It’s built as a real workout experience, designed with health and safety experts, starting with a warm-up on the ground before you lift off.

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What happens, step by step

Here’s the flow as described:

1. Ground warm-up + stretching to prep joints and movement quality.
   
   

2. You ascend to around 2,200 feet above Riyadh.
   
   

3. A 30-minute strength and conditioning session takes place mid-air, using a mix of bodyweight and weights.
   
   

While you’re training, you’re looking out over major city landmarks including Kingdom Tower, Majdoul Tower, and Al Faisaliah Tower.

The workout moves (and what they actually are)

The session keeps the exercise selection familiar, with playful names:

• Cloud Crushers = squats
  
  

• Altitude Lunges = lunges
  
  

• Overhead Ascent = overhead press
  
  

• Wing Spans = lateral raises
  
  

• Bicep Take-Offs = bicep curls
  
  

From a coaching perspective, that’s a solid full-body mix: legs for strength and work capacity, shoulders for stability, and simple patterns you can execute safely with good form.

Why “altitude” is part of the story (with realistic expectations)

GymNation positions the class around the idea of altitude training, a method often used by endurance athletes.

The important nuance: meaningful increases in red blood cell mass and haemoglobin typically require sustained exposure over time, not a single short session. Research explains that early changes can be driven by plasma volume shifts, while more durable red blood cell production is a longer adaptation. 

So think of the balloon session as:

• A high-energy, experience-led workout that can boost motivation
  
  

• A tough conditioning hit in an unforgettable setting
  
  

• Not a shortcut to altitude-camp adaptations
  
  

Who this class is best for

This kind of session suits people who:

• Already train consistently and want a fresh challenge
  
  

• Enjoy group energy and “event workouts”
  
  

• Want a fitness experience that feels like a milestone, not a routine
  
  

If you’re building your base right now, you’ll get more week-to-week progress from structured training like HYROX classes. 

How to prep so you enjoy it (and perform well)

A few practical rules that keep training quality high:

• Prioritise sleep the night before
  
  

• Keep food simple and familiar (avoid testing a new pre-workout or heavy meal)
  
  

• Hydrate early, then sip steadily
  
  

• Warm up properly and keep form clean on every rep
  
  

If you’re in Riyadh and want consistent training options around sessions like this, start with GymNation gyms in Riyadh and build a weekly routine you can repeat. 

Why this concept exists in the first place

GymNation says the idea was built with its fitness team and sports scientist Aderito Manuel, citing regional research that many exercisers now prefer memorable, experience-led workouts over traditional routines.

Whether you love the concept or roll your eyes at it, the takeaway is useful: motivation rises when training feels like something you look forward to.

Source: whatsonsaudiarabia.com 

The opinions shared in the blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.