Susan Turner, CEO of PureGym Middle East, has told HCM the company is extending its presence in Saudi Arabia with the launch of its first gyms in Jeddah next month and another lined up for October. All will be franchised.

The low-cost, no-contract operator now has more than two million members across six markets including Europe, the US and Middle East.

Turner says demand has been strong for the company's first Saudi gyms in Riyadh, Dammam and Khobar. Its new presence in Jeddah will be in the Al Safa neighbourhood and there will be separate male and female gyms in one location.

The third PureGym in Jeddah will be another female-only location, PureGym Ladies Jeddah Al Zahra, which is targeted to open in early October. The male gyms will be open 24/7 and female gyms have extensive opening hours.

“At PureGym, we're on a mission to provide as many people as possible with access to flexible, affordable fitness," said Turner. "Following sustained demand for our gyms in Riyadh, Dammam and Khobar, we're delighted to be expanding our presence with three new gyms in the fantastic city of Jeddah. Our newest gyms will provide members with everything they need to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing.”

The gyms are opening under the PureGym Arabia brand which is the franchise partner of PureGym Group and has the exclusive rights to the PureGym franchise in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the broader Middle East and North Africa region.

PureGym, which last week announced Clive Chesser as its new CEO, with Humphrey Cobbold moving to chair, is planning to open 130 gyms across the Middle East and North Africa region by 2027.

The company trades as Pure Fitness in the USA.