From Inside, this gym is similar to other sports halls of «Gold's Gyms» series. However, it is difficult to know; because, unlike other gyms series, this hall does not include large windows overlooking the street, but obscured what the inside from the eyes of passers-by through the wall of black. There is a large sign on the wall written in golden letters, and, of course, says the reason for this difference, which is: «for ladies only».
Yes, it's a gym for women. Until recently, there was no such thing in this conservative country. But now, there are a lot of them, which is another step in the march of progress for Saudi women, some girls play sports in school, and in 2012, there were two women among the members of the Saudi team in the Olympic Games.
Exercise and participation in sports represent an important advance for Saudi women, which are usually excluded from doing most activities outside the home. It's not just a matter of social evolution and trends of liberalization, but it is also a public health problem.
Kingdom, has one of the highest obesity and diabetes rates in the world. According to the International Diabetes Federation, more than 20% of all Saudis adults suffer from diabetes, which has been recognized by the government as a public health problem compete deaths as a result of traffic accidents.
The National Center for Diabetes Research, is under construction at the University of «King Saud» in Riyadh. Local newspapers also reported that more than 70% of adults over the age of 40 years are obese.
These health problems are more severe among women. This is not surprising due to the country's addiction to junk food, and the fact that, until recently, the women did not have what they can do except shopping and eating. However a columnist in the local newspaper noted helpfully last week that women get more exercise than you may think, and that by doing their own housework !.
Demand for opportunities to exercise sport has grown along with the need for growth. A few years ago, Venture Investor opened for females only hotel in Riyadh, including guests and employees. Female then press has discovered that many of the rooms were not rented by the passengers, but by local women who wanted access to the gym.
The question about the practice of women for sports was controversial for a long time in the kingdom. However, this is changing rapidly now, as is the case for the role of women in general in the kingdom.
Newspaper Said that «the number of women holding full-time jobs in this country, which consisted of nearly 30 million people, has risen from about 55 thousand in 2010 to 216 thousand in 2012 and this hiring rate is still accelerating with open more job opportunities for women ».
The government has encouraged this trend. Where it is, and by order of King Abdullah, women are now beginning to work in retail stores that cater to the needs of female customers. In addition to the traditional jobs as teachers and pediatricians, women are working in banks, insurance companies, media, even in the factories. It is said that the government directed employers in the private sector now is to grant 10 weeks of paid maternity leave for female workers.
The female rate is estimated that currently more than half of the students in Saudi universities, this has created, along with access to social media, the demand for exercise and increased physical adaptation.
Over the nine years of his reign, the «King Abdullah» has opened social and professional space for women gradually. And he has appointed some to the Shura Council, and decreed that he will allow them to run and vote in the next round of municipal elections, and encouraged the Department of Labor's efforts to expand employment opportunities for women. King was also curb down the religious police.
For women who are seeking more freedom, it may be the most important question, while Saudi Arabia is preparing for the transition from Abdullah, who is on the edge of the 90-year-old, to the next king, is the question about whether the prince who will inherit the throne can to continue in this direction, or otherwise. Where it is still possible closure of these gyms immediately..
Yes, it's a gym for women. Until recently, there was no such thing in this conservative country. But now, there are a lot of them, which is another step in the march of progress for Saudi women, some girls play sports in school, and in 2012, there were two women among the members of the Saudi team in the Olympic Games.
Exercise and participation in sports represent an important advance for Saudi women, which are usually excluded from doing most activities outside the home. It's not just a matter of social evolution and trends of liberalization, but it is also a public health problem.
Kingdom, has one of the highest obesity and diabetes rates in the world. According to the International Diabetes Federation, more than 20% of all Saudis adults suffer from diabetes, which has been recognized by the government as a public health problem compete deaths as a result of traffic accidents.
The National Center for Diabetes Research, is under construction at the University of «King Saud» in Riyadh. Local newspapers also reported that more than 70% of adults over the age of 40 years are obese.
These health problems are more severe among women. This is not surprising due to the country's addiction to junk food, and the fact that, until recently, the women did not have what they can do except shopping and eating. However a columnist in the local newspaper noted helpfully last week that women get more exercise than you may think, and that by doing their own housework !.
Demand for opportunities to exercise sport has grown along with the need for growth. A few years ago, Venture Investor opened for females only hotel in Riyadh, including guests and employees. Female then press has discovered that many of the rooms were not rented by the passengers, but by local women who wanted access to the gym.
The question about the practice of women for sports was controversial for a long time in the kingdom. However, this is changing rapidly now, as is the case for the role of women in general in the kingdom.
Newspaper Said that «the number of women holding full-time jobs in this country, which consisted of nearly 30 million people, has risen from about 55 thousand in 2010 to 216 thousand in 2012 and this hiring rate is still accelerating with open more job opportunities for women ».
The government has encouraged this trend. Where it is, and by order of King Abdullah, women are now beginning to work in retail stores that cater to the needs of female customers. In addition to the traditional jobs as teachers and pediatricians, women are working in banks, insurance companies, media, even in the factories. It is said that the government directed employers in the private sector now is to grant 10 weeks of paid maternity leave for female workers.
The female rate is estimated that currently more than half of the students in Saudi universities, this has created, along with access to social media, the demand for exercise and increased physical adaptation.
Over the nine years of his reign, the «King Abdullah» has opened social and professional space for women gradually. And he has appointed some to the Shura Council, and decreed that he will allow them to run and vote in the next round of municipal elections, and encouraged the Department of Labor's efforts to expand employment opportunities for women. King was also curb down the religious police.
For women who are seeking more freedom, it may be the most important question, while Saudi Arabia is preparing for the transition from Abdullah, who is on the edge of the 90-year-old, to the next king, is the question about whether the prince who will inherit the throne can to continue in this direction, or otherwise. Where it is still possible closure of these gyms immediately..
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