Fitness enthusiasts transform small workout space into one of Baghdad’s largest gyms

BAGHDAD — Bodybuilding and fitness are booming in Baghdad’s Al-Husseiniya district, where a group of local enthusiasts has transformed a small communal gym into one of the city’s largest fitness facilities.

Ahmad Al-Azzawi and his group of fitness enthusiasts in Al-Husseiniya Al-Rashidiya, north of Baghdad, started by opening a small communal workout space. Today, their project has evolved into one of the largest bodybuilding and fitness facilities in the city, according to Al-Azzawi.

The gym, called “Muscle Factory,” is described by regulars as a “VIP gym” due to its advanced equipment and exclusive supplements, sourced directly from Zayouna Group, a specialist in fitness nutrition.

Spanning four stories and operating in two shifts—morning and evening—Muscle Factory offers a dedicated room for nutritional supplements. Al-Azzawi said the facility has filled a gap for locals, who previously lacked a comprehensive gym catering to all fitness needs in the area.

“The popularity of this sport has surged recently, even in more modest neighborhoods,” Al-Azzawi told 964media. “Both young people and the elderly are keeping fit physically and mentally, especially after long hours of work or for those dealing with health issues.”

Al-Azzawi explained that the gym began as a passion project. “We are a group of young men who have been in the sport for years, with numerous championships in Baghdad and Iraq,” he said. “We opened this gym to stay healthy and exercise regularly, and on the other hand, as a business venture to promote and develop our sport.”

The gym has quickly become a popular evening destination. “We encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in fitness. There has never been a gym this big with all the essential facilities in Al-Husseiniya,” Al-Azzawi added.

Gyms have become increasingly popular across Iraq. Recently, the first women-only gym opened in Bashiqa, Nineveh, offering fitness and physiotherapy services.