GymNation, the GCC’s fastest growing fitness operator, has secured a 100 million dollar private credit facility from HPS Investment Partners, part of BlackRock, to fuel rapid expansion across the region and support its entry into international markets
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 2026 /EINPresswire.com- GymNation, the Middle East’s largest low cost gym operator, has secured a 100 million dollar private credit facility from funds and accounts managed by HPS Investment Partners, an entity under BlackRock, marking a major institutional vote of confidence in the region’s fast growing fitness sector.
Founded in the UAE in 2018 by Loren Holland, Frank Afeaki, and Ant Martland, GymNation was built around a simple but powerful idea: make high quality fitness affordable and accessible to everyone. From a single location in Al Quoz, Dubai, the brand has grown rapidly into a regional fitness powerhouse with close to 50 gyms and more than 200,000 members across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
The new funding provides a strong platform for the company’s next phase of growth, enabling accelerated expansion across the GCC while also supporting early steps toward international markets beyond the region. Loren Holland, Founder and CEO of GymNation, said the investment marks a defining moment in the company’s journey.
“Securing 100 million dollars of growth capital is a transformational milestone for GymNation and provides the platform for us to expand our footprint across the GCC and beyond. What has been especially encouraging is the conviction shown by HPS and all stakeholders involved, who maintained confidence in the business despite global uncertainty. The GCC continues to offer a world class environment for entrepreneurship, and we are proud to represent a homegrown success story,” he said.
The company also confirmed that international expansion is now a key strategic priority, with early focus on Asia as a potential next market. Leadership believes the GymNation model, which combines affordability with scale and technology driven operations, can be replicated in multiple underserved fitness markets globally.
The investment will be deployed across three core areas. The first is rapid GCC expansion, with a target of more than 100 locations over the next three years, supported by a strengthened regional hub in Riyadh. The second is investment in GymNation’s proprietary technology stack, including data systems, AI driven tools, and machine learning capabilities designed to improve efficiency and member experience. The third is international expansion beyond the GCC.
The deal also reflects growing institutional confidence in the company’s long term strategy, following its management buyout in 2023 backed by Ruya Partners and Tricap Investments. That transition helped position GymNation for scaled institutional financing and accelerated regional growth.
As part of its expansion strategy, more than 50 senior leaders have been included in a long term incentive equity plan, aligning leadership with long term shareholder value creation. Advisory support for the transaction was provided by Tatsu Partners, with legal counsel from DLA Piper and financial due diligence by PwC.
In just eight years, GymNation has evolved from a single gym in Dubai into one of the most influential fitness brands in the GCC. This latest funding round reinforces its position as a category leader in affordable fitness and signals continued momentum in both regional and global expansion.
