Sharjah's Iron Oasis: Transforming Platform Health Club

As Dubai and Abu Dhabi vie for the title of the UAE's entertainment hub, Sharjah remains a beacon of calm, conducting its affairs with quiet confidence.

This emirate's understated approach mirrors the striking insight of Tommy Hull, who, while journeying through the Nevada desert, envisioned the first hotel in what would blossom into Las Vegas.

In a parallel discovery, American businessman and entrepreneur Oweis Zahran recognized Sharjah's untapped potential.

Zahran, having firmly established his footprint in the automotive industry within the emirate, ventured into a new domain: gyms.

Introducing Platform Health Club: a burgeoning network of state-of-the-art gyms across Sharjah aimed not just at physical workouts but at fostering communities centered on holistic well-being, encompassing both mental and physical health.

"We noticed a significant void in Sharjah's fitness landscape," Zahran shares. "It struck us as absurd that many would commute an hour to Dubai for a gym session.

Our goal was to bridge this gap."

Urban commuters understand all too well how integrating essential, after-work physical activities into one's schedule can be a logistical nightmare.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by those who traverse between emirates, Zahran emphasized the necessity of providing them with their own fitness sanctuary, away from the glitz of Dubai.

"The success of the gym is a testament to the integral role of fitness in our lives," Zahran remarks.

"The prospect of a 40-50 minute drive for a workout can be a significant deterrent, stifling motivation entirely."

Through Platform Health Club, Zahran not only fills a critical gap in Sharjah's fitness offerings but also champions the convenience and community spirit that keep motivation for health and wellness alive.

Boasting two indoor Padel courts; more weight machines, dumbbells, battle ropes and treadmills than you can count with personal trainers available ‘round the clock’ it is proving to be a ‘build it and they will pump’, mentality.

“What we’ve been surprised by is popularity of the smoothie bar and cafe that we have built into our offering,” says Zahran.

He explains how the focus on low-calorie, healthy food, has started attracting not only members, but also non-gym goers to dine at the cafe and use it as a growing community meet up spot.

“We’re pretty laidback as a membership,” he says of the place where the only password required is a good attitude and a desire to push yourself to a better place than you were yesterday.

“The city of Sharjah has given me so much, so I am proud to have been able to build something that not only give something back, but has started to turn heads in Dubai and attract crowds from there to the Sharjah.”

Source: esquireme