In one of the largest investments in the UAE fitness industry to date, homegrown brand GymNation has completed a significant real estate acquisition to expand its Motor City site.
GymNation has purchased the entire floor of its current Motor City gym in Control Tower, along with the floor above, which currently houses the Fitness First Motor City branch, from National Properties, the real estate arm of National Bonds Corporation. This AED 70 million expansion project will merge the two floors, increasing the gym’s size from 30,000 to over 55,000 square feet.
This expansion will create one of the world’s largest and most advanced gyms, allowing GymNation to introduce additional equipment and broaden its fitness offerings. The new space will include dedicated studios for Reformer Pilates, boxing, wellness, and BLITZ Boutique HIIT, as well as the UAE’s largest recovery facility, featuring sauna, ice baths, sports massage, and assisted stretching. It will also house Dubai’s first indoor uphill running track and the Middle East’s first dedicated Hyrox Performance Centre.
Fitness First has been served an eviction notice, and work on the expanded GymNation facility is set to begin shortly.
Loren Holland, Founder and CEO of GymNation, stated, “Motor City is one of our top-performing locations, but we’ve outgrown our current capacity due to the rapid growth in the area. This expansion secures the future of our Motor City site and allows us to nearly double our gym’s size, creating one of the most advanced fitness facilities globally. We’re committed to continuously evolving our product to provide world-class facilities at an affordable price.
“We’re also planning exciting enhancements for some of our other Dubai and Abu Dhabi locations. While we’re focused on expanding with new sites, we’re equally dedicated to reinvesting in our existing gyms to ensure the best possible member experience and value in the industry. We’re excited to continue promoting healthy, active lifestyles and supporting our communities in achieving their fitness goals.”
GymNation was advised on the acquisition by David Abood from Cushman & Wakefield and lawyer Sean Cope from DLA Piper.