The question of physical education (PE) for girls in Saudi schools or elsewhere has not yet been resolved. There is no question that PE is part of an all-round development, yet it is not part of the curriculum nor are there many gyms for girls who want to exercise to stay fit.
Despite the significance of this issue, girls’ sports still remain in the background. Sports experts and nutritionists believe that in order to maintain a healthy physique, exercising should start at a young age. “Exercising should start from the base, that is from schools,” said Dr. Badr Al-Shibani, CEO of KAI fitness center. “The problem is that sports are not allowed in girls schools, except in a few private schools,” he added.
Dr. Reema Slaman, the owner of Med Art Clinic, where she is also a clinical and sport nutritionist, concurred with Al-Shibani about the need to exercise from childhood. “Schools are the main focus for physical activities. They should be supportive and dedicate three classes a week for physical activities so children can be healthy,” she said. Despite the lack of PE for girls in schools and restrictions on permits for fitness centers, Saudi women are now more aware of the importance of exercising. According to Michele Elyas, facility director of Olympia, the fitness center for women at the Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, awareness of the importance of exercising among Saudi women is on the rise. That is why the gym has over 1,000 members.
“The main reasons women join a fitness center is to lose weight and get in shape. And since we opened nine years ago, there has been a steady inflow of women wanting to get fit,” she said, adding, “I believe health awareness, awareness about one’s body and awareness about the quality of life has contributed to increase in numbers,” she said.
Since Olympia is affiliated with a medical establishment it was easy to establish this facility for women.
With the incidence of obesity and diabetes high among women, exercising is now becoming a necessity, not an option. Al-Shibani said that adult obesity has reached a peak at 64 percent, with Saudi Arabia ranked fourth in the world, and children obesity touching 46 percent.
“Exercising is the key to a better life and health,” Dr. Reema said, adding that the benefits are immense. “The psychological and social benefits are numerous. Working out works as a natural antidepressant agent by increasing the flow of certain hormones,” she said.
Dr. Reema believes that when women work out and stay fit, they feel more confident and satisfied. This also leads to one being more effective while at work.