If you’re bored of staring at gym mirrors or counting ceiling tiles during workouts, Riyadh has just raised the bar. By 2,200 feet.
The Saudi capital is now home to the World’s Highest Gym Class, launched by GymNation in what may be one of the most ambitious fitness concepts the region has seen so far. This isn’t a rooftop session or a scenic outdoor boot camp. The workout happens inside a hot air balloon, floating high above the city.
For a region that loves experiences with a twist, this one ticks every box.
A Workout That Starts on the Ground, Then Takes Off
The experience begins on solid ground with a guided warm-up. Trainers walk participants through mobility drills and light movements to prep the body. Everything feels familiar at first.
Then the balloon lifts.
Slowly, quietly, the city drops away. Within minutes, you’re floating 2,200 feet above Riyadh, gearing up for a 30-minute strength and conditioning session in the sky.
There are no machines. No distractions. Just focused movement, expert coaching, and a very real sense that you’re doing something out of the ordinary.
For anyone used to fitness classes along Dubai Marina, beach workouts at Kite Beach, or even desert boot camps, this feels like the next evolution.
Also checkout: Empower Yourself: Join GymNation’s Free Self-Defence Retreat in Dubai – Social Kandura
What the World’s Highest Gym Class Actually Involves?
Once airborne, the class gets straight to work. The routine focuses on full-body strength using bodyweight exercises and light dumbbells. Everything is carefully designed to keep movements controlled and safe in a compact space.
To match the setting, GymNation has given the exercises sky-inspired names. Squats become “Cloud Crushers.” Lunges turn into “Altitude Lunges.” Shoulder raises are now “Wing Spans.” Even bicep curls get a rebrand, called “Bicep Take-Offs.”
The names may raise a smile, but the effort is serious. At altitude, breathing feels different. Your heart rate rises faster. Even familiar movements demand more concentration.
It’s challenging without being intimidating. And that balance is what makes it work.
A Skyline View That Changes the Entire Experience
As the workout progresses, the views do half the motivating. From the balloon, participants get sweeping panoramas of Riyadh’s skyline, including Kingdom Tower, Al Faisaliah Tower, and Majdoul Tower.
It’s the kind of view most people expect from observation decks or helicopter tours, not mid-squat.
Dubai residents will immediately understand the appeal. Just as skyline views transform brunch spots or staycations, they also change how a workout feels. The environment lifts the energy. You forget the reps. You stay present.
That’s the power of location-led fitness.
The Science Behind Training at 2,200 Feet
This class isn’t just about visuals or social media moments. There’s solid science behind it.
GymNation developed the experience alongside health and safety specialists and sports scientist Aderito Manuel. Training at altitude means less oxygen is available, which forces the body to adapt.
Over time, this can increase red blood cell production and improve how efficiently muscles use oxygen. That’s why elite athletes often train in high-altitude environments.
Studies also show that workouts at altitude can burn between five and fifteen per cent more calories compared to the same routine at ground level. In simple terms, you work harder without lifting heavier.
So while the setting is dramatic, the benefits are very real.
Experiential Fitness Is Growing Across the Region
Across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, fitness is shifting. People still care about results, but they also want experiences that feel fresh.
From sunrise yoga sessions in Abu Dhabi to desert endurance challenges near Dubai, the region has become a playground for lifestyle-led fitness. The World’s Highest Gym Class fits right into this movement.
It’s not about replacing traditional gyms. It’s about adding excitement back into routines that often feel repetitive.
Riyadh, in particular, is quickly becoming a testing ground for new lifestyle concepts. This launch reflects a city that’s experimenting, evolving, and attracting a younger, experience-driven crowd.
How to Book the World’s Highest Gym Class?
The class runs every Saturday throughout January and spots are extremely limited. Each session hosts only a small group to maintain safety and quality.
Bookings are currently open, but demand is high. This is not a walk-in class. It’s a planned experience for people who want something different from their usual workout.
While it’s exclusive to Riyadh for now, concepts like this rarely stay contained. If there’s one city known for turning bold ideas into bigger experiences, it’s Dubai.
The Big Picture
The World’s Highest Gym Class isn’t trying to become your daily routine. It’s doing something else. It’s reminding people that fitness doesn’t have to feel boring.
By combining altitude training, expert coaching, and once-in-a-lifetime views, GymNation has turned a workout into a story. And in today’s fitness culture, that’s what keeps people engaged.
Follow Social Kandura for more updates on local news, things to do, Travel, Bollywood, and the latest in food and lifestyle across Dubai and the UAE.
Read More: GymNation Expands to Saudi Arabia: A New Fitness Destination
