Women’s Fitness: Huge Potential!

Exercise participation among women in the Middle East is surpassing the global average, creating a substantial opportunity for businesses to cater to this underexplored segment.

The percentage of women in the Middle East engaging in intense physical activities has risen sharply from 20% in 2019 to 31% in 2024, compared to the global increase from 22% to 25% among women during the same period.

Aiste Kriauciunaite, a consultant at Euromonitor International, highlights that "cultural norms in the region emphasize the necessity for female-specific fitness spaces, providing businesses with an avenue to serve this market effectively.”

This growing interest in women’s wellness has caught the attention of businesses across the UAE.

Arada, an Emirati property development company, recently acquired three new gym brands, including FitnGlam, a women-only gym catering to over 8,000 members within the UAE.

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Arada’s Group CEO, shared with AGBI that women-only fitness represents “a relatively untapped market with vast potential.”

“In this region, it’s crucial for operators to offer both women-only and mixed spaces in their gyms to fully leverage the growth opportunities,” Alkhoshaibi explained.

Currently, FitnGlam experiences annual growth of approximately 3,000 new members, with plans to open three additional locations. These expansions are expected to increase membership capacity by more than 6,300.

The member base at FitnGlam comprises 49% Emirati women and 51% expatriates.

Considering the relatively smaller Emirati population compared to expats in the UAE, this demonstrates the preference Emirati women have for female-only fitness spaces.

Women have, therefore, become a significant and expanding focus for Arada’s health and wellness offerings.

Another example is Wellfit Madar, owned by Arada, the largest fitness club in the emirate of Sharjah. Despite women-only areas occupying one-third the size of the mixed areas, women account for 48% of its clientele.

Fitness First, a leading gym operator in the UAE, also caters to this demand, offering 13 women-only gyms or facilities with women-exclusive areas.

According to Euromonitor's Kriauciunaite, the rapidly expanding female fitness market extends beyond gyms. Even women exercising at home represent an untapped opportunity.

A survey conducted by Euromonitor across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt revealed that 68% of women work out at home weekly, compared to 60% of women globally.

“This sizeable group of female consumers opting for home workouts opens doors for fitness equipment, on-site facilities tailored to women, as well as digital fitness platforms and coaching programs that cater to their specific needs,” noted Kriauciunaite.

Furthermore, there are significant opportunities in developing female-oriented fitness gear, supplements, and performance-related products.

For instance, women’s sports apparel represents a lucrative market, with Statista estimating it will reach nearly $50 billion by 2027.

A heightened focus on wellness also ushers in opportunities for companies in the food, beverage, and nutritional supplement sectors.

Maria Mascaraque, head of food and nutrition at Euromonitor International, explains that the rise in interest in women’s health, driven by personal care and self-care trends, presents new business possibilities.

"This trend creates an opening to incorporate health-enhancing ingredients into daily diets, supporting a holistic approach to women’s wellness," Mascaraque stated.

Additionally, Millennials—especially female Millennials—are significantly inclined to take supplements regularly.

Euromonitor data reveals that 59% of Emiratis take vitamins or supplements weekly, surpassing the global 52% average.

Source: agbi

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