The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

With Christmas fast approaching, Cairo’s health and fitness venues are more important than ever, as Cairenes look to shed those inevitable extra pounds. The city’s gyms are ever-expanding, offering more and more impressive workout areas for maximum motivation. Having first opened in Maadi, the popular Fibers Club has opened a second branch on the second floor of the Four Seasons’ First Mall.  

The reception area is sparkling and spacious, with fresh flower arrangements and a large leather couch, perfect for consultations with the friendly staff. A convenient, on-site shop is neatly stocked with a variety of protein products, along with a range of toiletries. Popular juice bar, Lychee, is also on-site, supplying members with their favourite fresh juices and smoothies. The club also boasts a private nutritionist and a physiotherapist, as well as beauty and medical treatments from the NuYu Medical Centre.      

The locker rooms are roomy, offering modern rain showers and a dressing area with wooden accents creating a contemporary feel. Also inside is the large, warm Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, warmed up and available for use at all times.    

Flooded with natural light, the total workout area is vast, with glass-partitioned sections seemingly curling around the building in a U-shape. With separate rooms for group classes, spinning sessions, overall fitness and Kinesis circuit training, each area is kitted out with top-of-the-range equipment. The sleek decor is continuous throughout, with elements of stainless steel and dark wood. Up-beat music is pumped from the speakers, and with the exception of the group classroom, all the workout areas boast a beautiful Nile-view. Given the size of the gym, we were surprised to learn that there is no separate women-only area. 

The large spinning room holds twenty-four bikes, complete with heart rate and calorie burn monitors. Similarly, the various cardio machines allow access to the internet, television channels and more. The weight-lifting area is also impressive, with a large number of machines, along with a generous number of free-weights of up to 60kg. Power-plate machines are also available to use, free of any extra charge.

Unsurprisingly, such luxury comes at a price, with memberships available for one month ($240), three months ($550), six months ($875), to a year ($1400); an additional charge is added should you wish to alternate between both branches. No matter how long your membership, customers are guaranteed between one and twelve personal training sessions, one massage, one meeting with the nutritionist, one physiotherapy session and guest passes. At the time of our visit, Fibers was running a promotion whereby two months were given free with a yearly membership.

Despite being excruciatingly expensive, Fibers enviable position and increasing reputation, along with quality equipment, on-site conveniences and state-of-the-art facilities, customers certainly receive their money’s worth.