Setting up a Fitness Club in Abu Dhabi

UAE has been encouraging many domestic and foreign fitness companies for investing in their market. The statistics say that the UAE fitness industry in 2016 stood at about $380m. Many well-known fitness companies came and set up their business in the UAE; for example, the famous American brand Gold’s Gym and UK-based Fitness First. Recently with more innovation there in this industry, there has been a shift towards more functional training. Therefore, there are ample opportunities in this sector in the UAE.

What entity to choose to set up a fitness club?

You could set up a fitness club in Abu Dhabi as a limited liability company (LLC) in Abu Dhabi, but there are some compulsory requirements that are listed by the Department of Economic Development, which should be met.

Before opening a fitness club, you must obtain an authorization from the following:

• The General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare
• The Department of Health
• The Emirates Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Committee

There are some other mandates such as the person who is obtaining the license to open a Fitness Club, should be at least 21 years old or more of age. He/she should also submit a copy of a registered tenancy contract and a memorandum of association.

How to get a license in a Free Zone for a gym or health club?

If you are thinking of opening a health club or gym in a Free Zone, then there are a few regulations that you should know. The activities of the health club or gym that are permissible should only strictly limit to:

1. Physical training or exercising for weight loss/ fitness
2. Meditative sports like yoga or tai-chi
3. Various types of massage

What are the gym license activities that are non-permissible?

The gym license activities which are not permissible would include but shall not be limited to the following:

1. No medical or physiological treatments for diseases like rheumatism etc.
2. Use of electrical machines for therapy or diagnosis like ultrasound machines etc by untrained or unqualified staff
3. Patients having infectious diseases not to be allowed entry or exercise and perform any activity in the fitness center
4. Using the fitness center for staff accommodation is not permitted
5. Noisy sporting activities and causing disturbance
6. No women staff to be employed in the men’s health clubs or fitness centers
7. No men staff to be allowed entry to ladies health clubs/fitness centers

Are there any special conditions for setting up a gym?

1. Instructors as well as the guests or users of the health club should wear appropriate gym wear.
2. All the staff should maintain proper personal hygiene.
3. All staff giving massages in the health club should be qualified from DOHMS.
4. Weight-loss diets should be only prescribed and also supervised by the qualified nutritionists only.
5. The gyms or fitness center should be mandatorily equipped with the following:
   • Should be located at the ground floor of a building and its premises cannot be used for any other activities than what is stated in the license
   • There should be proper lighting and ventilation as per the given standards; for example, the fitness centre must have fans, exhaust fans and outlets that can cater to the whole premises
   • The premises cannot be used for storage or for accumulation of the goods
   • A fully-furnished office is mandatory for carrying out the administration role. It should be able to manage activity with 30m²
   • First-aid box should be always available
   • Cleanliness and maintenance of the premises
   • Things like anti-bacterial soap, disinfectant and tissue paper should be available
   • Proper cleaning area like sinks and drains should be provided (should be as per the guidelines specified)
   • Electric insect killing machines should be installed and regular pest control should be done
   • Pedal garbage bins with a lid should be provided
   • Employees must be dressed in a proper uniform with the company’s name or logo
   • A map with the proper location and address of the centre should be provided
   • Smoking should not be permitted in the premises and there must be apt signage informing about the same

The fitness or gym trainers will be required to have valid visas and show their competence and needed qualifications and experience in the industry, besides having a valid trade license.