GymNation is taking fitness to the skies with a hot air balloon workout that rises 2,200 feet above Riyadh.
As Saudi Arabia’s winter temperatures settle in, outdoor workouts are back on the agenda. Now, Riyadh is taking it one step further with a record-breaking concept that puts cardio and confidence on the same flight path. GymNation has unveiled the World’s Highest Gym Class, a workout experience held inside a hot-air balloon that lifts participants 2,200 feet above the capital.
Taking place every Saturday throughout January, the class is designed to deliver more than a photo op. Once you’re off the ground, you’ll be training with panoramic views of Riyadh’s standout silhouettes, including Kingdom Tower, Majdoul Tower, and Al Faisaliah Tower, turning the city’s skyline into your backdrop as you move through the session.
The experience begins with a warm-up and stretching session on the ground before you ascend. Once airborne, participants take part in a 30-minute full-body strength and conditioning workout led by GymNation’s trainers. The routine leans into playful, aviation-inspired exercise names, from Cloud Crushers and Altitude Lunges to Overhead Ascents, Wing Spans, and Bicep Take-Offs. In practical terms, expect the fundamentals: squats, lunges, overhead press, lateral raises, and bicep curls.
Developed in partnership with sports scientist Aderito Manuel, the concept draws on the principles of altitude training. At higher altitudes, oxygen levels are lower, which can encourage the body to produce more red blood cells and haemoglobin. Manuel says this can improve oxygen delivery to muscles, support recovery, and potentially help you “burn up to 15 per cent more calories.”
Despite the high-flying premise, GymNation says the experience is designed with safety at the forefront. Spaces are limited due to the class’s exclusive nature, and every detail has been carefully planned to ensure a secure, smooth session from take-off to landing. If your fitness goals could use a little lift this year, this might be Riyadh’s most unforgettable way to start.
GO: Visit https://gymnation.com for more information.