Riyadh, KSA – GymNation has officially unveiled the world’s first protein shisha bar, a groundbreaking concept aimed at providing a tobacco-free vapor experience that encourages performance within a gym setting.
This innovative shisha bar will launch as part of a new series of café-style recovery and social spaces, set to open at select GymNation locations across the UAE, KSA, and Bahrain throughout 2026.
In contrast to traditional shisha, GymNation’s version employs a unique herbal, molasses-based vapor system that completely eliminates tobacco and nicotine. Each flavor is inspired by popular gym supplements, including whey protein, creatine, BCAAs, and pre-workouts.
The launch signifies GymNation’s ongoing dedication to redefining the modern gym experience in the Middle East by merging fitness, recovery, and social culture in innovative ways.
“Shisha culture plays a significant role in the social fabric of the region, much like gym culture has,” stated CMO Rory McEntee. “This idea merges both worlds authentically, reflecting our core values – no tobacco, no nicotine, and maintaining the integrity of the gym environment.”
This concept has been developed in collaboration with Dr. Sami Al-Banna, Chief Scientific Innovator in aerosolized nutrition, who remarked, “Inhaling protein allows it to bypass traditional digestion, leading to more efficient entry into the bloodstream. This method improves bioavailability, facilitating quicker absorption, less metabolic loss, and better functional benefits when compared to standard protein consumption.”
The protein shisha bar will complement GymNation’s existing wellness services, creating a relaxed post-workout environment where members can socialize, recover, and recharge—all without stepping outside the gym.
The menu features enticing blends such as The Whey Cloud, Macro Mist, and BCAA Breeze, all crafted with herbal vapor bases and food-grade aroma profiles inspired by nutritional supplements.
According to GymNation, each 45-minute session of protein shisha can offer:
- Up to 25g of ‘aroma-activated protein’
- Supports rapid post-workout muscle recovery
- Aids in stimulating muscle protein synthesis for growth
- A 43% increase in post-training social engagement
“We’re witnessing a global shift towards alternatives to traditional shisha, and this is our contribution to that movement—tailored for a fitness-oriented audience and tailored to the cultural context of the region,” McEntee added.
The initial rollout will commence with a pilot location in Riyadh, followed by expansions across the GCC, including sites in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, and Bahrain. GymNation envisions these café-style bars as part of a larger strategy to transform gyms into community hubs that blend training, recovery, social interaction, and local lifestyle trends.
