WHILE exercise trends and dieting fads are popping up in the media, obesity rates in the Kingdom are still alarmingly high. According to the most recent statistics from the Ministry of Health, the prevalence of obesity is higher among females than males, with 33.5 percent of females overweight compared to 24.1 percent of males. While male health clubs are visible around the Kingdom's cities, the apparent lack of gyms dedicated to females provokes the question: Is there a discrepancy between health club services offered to males as opposed to females? Saudi Gazette surveyed a number of women who work out on a regular basis, and while many prefer to work out at home or in private studios, others choose to go to the gym even if it is a long drive from home. Many say they are not satisfied with their gym experience, despite access to state-of-the-art, high quality facilities and numerous classes. They said their main concern was a lack of professional trainers. Jumanah Babiker, 24, said she was satisfied with her gym, one of the major chains in Jeddah, because of its high quality facilities and large space. However, she said the trainers were incompetent. “The trainers are not that helpful. There should be more guidance and assistance to visitors,” she said. “The classes didn't help me much so I started working out alone,” Babiker said. “I get my information about fitness and exercise mainly from Instagram.” A Saudi female in her 20's, who didn't want to be identified, said she uses the Internet for fitness information and uses her gym's personal trainers only occasionally. “There should be more guidance and orientation to help women learn about the right exercise for them,” she said. “I've encountered many women of all ages that have no idea about fitness but go sign up for classes randomly.” One Jeddah resident, Alana Sunbol, said after leaving her gym it has been difficult to find another with the facilities she needed in a reasonable price range. “There aren't a lot of options,” she added. A woman who visits one of Jeddah's leading health clubs said: “I agree that the annual subscriptions are overpriced. I was lucky to get a discount when I signed up this year.” Personal trainer, Sarah Al-Othman, who obtained her license abroad and is now running her own studio, said: “Gym services here are very weak. Lots of money is being put in to improve appearances but the equipment is very basic.” She added that there is a focus on cardio machines and facilities like swimming pools, but there is still not enough equipment for weight lifting. “There should be more awareness of exercise and diet,” Al-Othman said. “There are actually a lot of people who want to learn but can't find the correct information. Not all trainers, even those in the biggest gyms, are providing the right knowledge.” However, the situation may be improving. After establishing a number of branches in the Kingdom, World Gym opened its first women's branch in Jeddah recently. According to branch manager, Nermeen Al-Amoudi, World Gym has the Kingdom's first fully equipped strength-training room for ladies, in addition to three large classes and a swimming pool. “All the machines are available as well as all the weight sizes, just like in the men's gym,” Al-Amoudi said. The gym also has a day-care center to make regular visits easy for parents. A trainer at Dynamic Code Center, Aziza Bashir, said: “Unfortunately, many women are not committed to working out. They sign up and are absent most of the year.” Bashir said they usually come across clients who harbor many misconceptions about fitness, especially strength training. “They think they'll look manly and bulky if they lift weights, which is untrue,” she said. Bashir said some clients want to get fit fast and often insist on the wrong exercise routines. “There's been an advancement in fitness awareness in recent years, but still there is not enough awareness.”
