Everyone in my Jeddah social circle seemed to have a Fitness Time membership. When I relocated there for a six-month work assignment in early 2024, joining felt almost obligatory. The question was whether the enthusiasm was earned or just social momentum.
Spoiler: it is more complicated than either answer suggests.
The Appeal Is Real (For Some)
Fitness Time built their women's sections around a specific philosophy: community-driven fitness through group classes. If you thrive in group environments, if instructor energy motivates you, if you prefer scheduled classes over self-directed gym time, this place makes sense.
I attended 73 group classes during my six months. I counted because patterns emerged that felt worth documenting. The class variety impressed me: Zumba variations, kickboxing, aqua aerobics at branches with pools, pilates reformer sessions, and a particularly brutal class called "Total Body Conditioning" that I grew to respect despite dreading it.
The Instructor Factor
Here is the truth nobody mentions in promotional materials: Fitness Time's quality varies wildly based on instructors. During my membership, three instructors left and two joined. The best spinning instructor moved to Dubai. Her replacement was competent but lacked the presence that made classes feel transformative.
This is not unique to Fitness Time, but the group-class-focused model amplifies the impact. When your entire fitness experience depends on scheduled classes with specific instructors, staff turnover affects you directly.
"I learned to check the weekly schedule for instructor names, not class times. A mediocre time slot with the right instructor beats a perfect schedule with someone going through the motions."
Equipment and Facilities
The Al-Rawdah branch I frequented had adequate but not exceptional equipment. Cardio machines showed their age. The weight section was functional but noticeably smaller than comparable Leejam locations. If serious strength training is your priority, you will find limitations.
Where Fitness Time invested: the group studio spaces. Sprung floors, quality sound systems, mirrors positioned correctly, and climate control that actually handled crowded classes. This allocation makes sense given their business model, but it does reveal priorities.
Membership Details (Al-Rawdah Branch, September 2025)
Monthly rate: SAR 280-380 depending on contract
Class booking: App-based, opens 48 hours before class
Popular classes fill: Within 2-3 hours of booking opening
Guest passes: Available, SAR 50 per visit
The Community Aspect
Something I did not expect to appreciate: Fitness Time cultivates genuine community. Regular class attendees recognize each other. Instructors remember names. There is a social fabric that develops when you consistently show up to the same sessions.
For women new to fitness or returning after breaks, this matters enormously. The environment feels encouraging rather than intimidating. Instructors modify exercises for different fitness levels without making anyone feel singled out. I watched absolute beginners become regulars over months, supported by both staff and other members.
What Frustrated Me
The booking system creates artificial scarcity. Popular instructors' classes fill immediately when bookings open. If you cannot be at your phone at precisely the right moment, you miss sessions repeatedly. This felt like poor planning more than genuine capacity issues.
Cancellation flexibility is limited. Unlike Leejam where missing a gym day costs nothing, missing a booked class at Fitness Time can affect your booking privileges. I understand the logic of preventing no-shows, but the policy felt punitive during genuinely unavoidable conflicts.
The locker rooms at Al-Rawdah were cramped. During popular class transitions, you wait for everything: lockers, showers, even mirror space. The facility was clearly designed for fewer simultaneous users than current demand requires.
Comparing Experiences
Having spent substantial time at both Fitness Time and Leejam Fitness, the comparison clarifies each brand's strengths:
Fitness Time excels at: group classes, instructor quality (when retained), community building, and beginner accessibility. If you want guided workouts and social motivation, this is your better choice.
Leejam excels at: equipment quality, self-directed training flexibility, facility size, and strength training infrastructure. If you know what you are doing and want space to do it, Leejam works better.
For a more holistic approach, Body Masters Ladies offers wellness amenities neither competitor matches, though at a price premium.
Would I Recommend It?
Yes, with qualifications. Fitness Time for Women serves a specific niche extremely well. If you are someone who:
- Prefers structured classes over independent gym time
- Values community and social motivation
- Is new to fitness or returning after a long break
- Enjoys variety in workout formats
Then this is worth your money. If you primarily want weights, machines, and the freedom to train on your own schedule, look elsewhere.
My membership ended when my Jeddah assignment finished, but I genuinely miss some of the classes and the people. That is not something I expected to write, and it says something about what Fitness Time gets right.
