My 18-Month Journey at Leejam Fitness Ladies Section

I still remember walking into the Leejam Fitness ladies section in Olaya for the first time. It was March 2024, and I had just left a smaller boutique gym that closed during the pandemic. The scale of the place genuinely surprised me. This was not the cramped converted apartment space I was used to.

Let me be direct about something: Leejam is part of a larger corporation, and they operate with corporate efficiency. That cuts both ways. You get consistent quality and maintained equipment, but you also get the occasional bureaucratic frustration when dealing with membership issues.

First Impressions That Actually Mattered

The Olaya branch has the women's section on a completely separate floor with its own entrance. This matters more than I initially thought it would. There is no awkward elevator sharing, no timing your arrival to avoid crowds in mixed areas. You walk in through a dedicated entrance, and you are immediately in a space designed exclusively for women.

The equipment situation deserves specific mention. I counted 14 treadmills, 8 ellipticals, a full Technogym weight setup, and dedicated areas for stretching and functional training. The machines are the same models used in the men's sections, which was not always the case at older facilities I had tried.

What My Typical Week Looked Like

I settled into a routine of four visits per week: two strength sessions, one cardio-focused day, and one group class. Here is what I learned about each:

Strength Training

The weight area works best before 4 PM or after 9 PM. Between those hours, especially on weekdays, you will wait for equipment. I once timed a 22-minute wait for the only cable crossover machine during peak hours. That is not Leejam's fault entirely since there is simply high demand, but the limited equipment in certain categories becomes obvious quickly.

What impressed me: the staff keeps everything clean, weights are re-racked by staff if members forget, and broken equipment gets fixed within days, not weeks. I reported a fraying cable on a lat pulldown machine and it was replaced by my next visit.

Group Classes

The group fitness schedule is solid but not exceptional. You get your standard offerings: spinning, body pump, yoga, and some HIIT variations. The instructors range from excellent to adequate. There was a spinning instructor named Sara who could make 45 minutes feel like 20, but she left in mid-2024 and the replacement took time to match that energy.

"The best advice I received from a fellow member: try every instructor at least twice before deciding. The first class might catch them on an off day."

The Privacy Question

Several friends asked me about privacy before joining. The Olaya branch handles this well. Windows are properly frosted, the entrance is discreet, and staff are all female during operating hours. I never once felt uncomfortable about privacy during my membership.

The locker rooms are spacious with individual changing cubicles. Showers are private. These seem like basic expectations, but I have been to facilities in other regions where these were afterthoughts.

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

The membership sales process is aggressive. They will push annual contracts hard because that is how commission structures work. If you want flexibility, insist on monthly even if they claim it is not available. It is, it just costs more per month.

Cancellation requires 30 days notice in writing. Not an email to your salesperson. Actual written notice to their administration. I learned this the hard way when I tried to pause my membership during a work trip.

The app for class booking works about 70% of the time. The other 30%, you are calling the front desk. Keep their number saved.

Comparing to Other Options

I ended up visiting Fitness Time for Women during my Jeddah travels, and the comparison was instructive. Leejam invests more in equipment quality; Fitness Time often has more class variety. Neither is objectively better since it depends on what you prioritize.

For wellness-focused training, Body Masters Ladies offered amenities Leejam does not, including spa facilities and recovery rooms. But Body Masters costs considerably more.

Final Assessment

After 18 months, I renewed my membership. That says something. Leejam is not perfect, but it is professional, consistent, and takes the women's facilities seriously. They have invested in making the ladies sections comparable to their flagship men's locations, not afterthoughts.

Would I recommend it? Yes, with the caveat that you should visit during your expected workout times before committing. Peak hour congestion is real, and if you can only train during those windows, factor that into your decision.

For more context on my fitness journey, you can read about my background or reach out directly with questions.