Apex Athletic Center: Premium Training Experience

The Premium Price Tag Question

Let me start with the number that made me pause: 950 SAR per month. That's roughly $250 USD, more than double what I pay at Gold Fitness. When a colleague first mentioned Apex Athletic Center, I dismissed it as unnecessarily expensive. Why pay premium prices when mid-range gyms have all the equipment you need?

Then I visited during their free trial day. Within 20 minutes, I understood what that extra money buys. But understanding it and deciding it's worth it are two different things. I spent four months testing whether the premium experience justifies the premium price. Here's what I learned.

Walking Into a Different World

Apex doesn't feel like a gym—it feels like a private athletic club. The reception area has comfortable seating, complimentary filtered water with cucumber and lemon, and staff who greet you by name after your second visit. They use facial recognition for entry, so you never fumble with membership cards or apps.

Photo by Jelmer Assink on Unsplash

The gym itself is massive—2,400 square meters across two floors. The ground floor houses cardio equipment, functional training areas, and group class studios. The second floor is dedicated to strength training with separate zones for free weights, machines, and Olympic lifting platforms. The ceilings are high, the ventilation is excellent, and somehow it never feels crowded even during peak hours.

Equipment: The Top Tier

This is where Apex earns a significant portion of its price tag. Every piece of equipment is commercial-grade and maintained meticulously. The dumbbells go from 1kg to 60kg in 2.5kg increments—no frustrating gaps when you're trying to progress. They have eight Olympic lifting platforms with competition-standard barbells and bumper plates.

The machine selection is comprehensive. They stock equipment from multiple premium brands—Hammer Strength, Life Fitness, Technogym. This variety matters because different machines suit different body types and movement patterns. I particularly appreciate having three different leg press machines to choose from based on how my knees feel that day.

What really sets Apex apart is equipment availability. I've trained there during supposed peak hours and never waited more than two minutes for any piece of equipment. They manage this through member cap limits—they only accept a certain number of monthly members to ensure the facility never becomes overcrowded.

The Personal Training Difference

Apex's personal trainers are on a different level. Every trainer has minimum five years of experience and at least two internationally recognized certifications. Many have worked with professional athletes or rehabilitation clients. The head trainer, James, competed in CrossFit regionals and has a master's degree in exercise science.

I worked with James for eight weeks to refine my Olympic lifting technique. These weren't generic workout sessions—each was meticulously planned based on video analysis from previous sessions. He identified subtle technical flaws in my clean and jerk that were limiting my progress and increasing injury risk. We spent entire sessions working on single movement patterns with constant feedback and adjustment.

Photo by Şule Makaroğlu on Unsplash

Personal training costs extra—600 SAR per session, or package deals bringing it to around 500 SAR per session. That's expensive, but the quality matches the price. I've had trainers at other gyms who were glorified workout buddies. Apex trainers are coaches who genuinely improve your performance.

Amenities That Actually Matter

The locker rooms feel like hotel spa facilities. Individual shower stalls with rainfall showerheads and unlimited hot water. They provide towels, premium toiletries (not the cheap stuff), hair dryers, and even basic grooming supplies if you forget yours. Lockers are full-size with combination locks—no squeezing your gym bag into a tiny compartment.

The sauna and steam room are spacious and actually maintained at proper temperatures. Many gyms have saunas that barely get warm. Apex's sauna hits 85°C consistently, and the steam room produces enough steam to obscure someone sitting three feet away. After heavy leg training, 15 minutes in the sauna followed by a cold shower makes a noticeable difference in next-day soreness.

They also have a recovery lounge with massage chairs, foam rollers, and a compression therapy system (NormaTec boots). This isn't just for show—these tools genuinely enhance recovery. I use the NormaTec system once a week, and it's become part of my training optimization strategy.

The Nutrition Component

Apex has an in-house nutritionist available for consultations (included with premium membership) and a juice bar serving actually nutritious food. The juice bar isn't just protein shakes and smoothies—they prepare meal-prep style dishes with macros clearly labeled. I've bought lunch there multiple times when work runs late and I need something before training.

I had two consultations with their nutritionist, Nadia, who helped me adjust my diet for better recovery and energy during training. She didn't push supplements or meal plans to buy—instead, she worked with my lifestyle and preferences to optimize what I was already eating. The consultations would cost 300 SAR each elsewhere, so having them included adds value.

Group Classes Worth Taking

I'm generally not a group class person, but Apex's offerings are higher quality than typical gym classes. They run specialized programs:

• Athletic Conditioning: HIIT-style workouts designed by a former college strength coach
• Olympic Lifting Fundamentals: Proper teaching progression for complex lifts
• Mobility & Movement: Focused flexibility and movement quality work
• Powerlifting Technique: For the big three lifts with experienced coaches

Classes are capped at 12 people and taught by qualified instructors, not just enthusiastic fitness fans. I've attended the Olympic Lifting Fundamentals series, and it's legitimately educational. The instructor explains not just what to do, but why, with biomechanical reasoning.

Who Actually Trains Here

The member demographic skews professional, aged 30-50, with clear fitness goals. You see fewer casual gym-goers and more people following structured programs. I've met several competitive athletes who use Apex as their primary training facility—amateur bodybuilders, a former professional footballer, several martial artists preparing for competitions.

Photo by Anastase Maragos on Unsplash

The atmosphere is serious but not intimidating. People are focused on their training, but also friendly and willing to spot or share equipment. There's mutual respect born from everyone being there for similar reasons. I've had more meaningful conversations about training at Apex in four months than in years at other gyms.

The Membership Cost Breakdown

At 950 SAR per month (or 10,200 SAR annually), Apex is definitely premium-priced. What does that money actually buy compared to a mid-tier gym like Gold Fitness at 430 SAR?

Looked at this way, if you value those amenities and actually use them, the price becomes more reasonable. If you only care about having weights to lift, Apex is overpriced. If you want the complete training experience with recovery amenities and professional support, it starts making sense.

What Doesn't Justify The Price

Not everything about Apex impressed me. The juice bar prices are absurd—180 SAR for a chicken bowl that would cost 40 SAR at a regular restaurant. I eat there occasionally for convenience, but it's not a selling point.

The mandatory joining fee of 500 SAR feels unnecessary given the already-high membership cost. Some luxury gyms waive this, and Apex should too.

Also, while the facility is rarely crowded, that's partly because the location isn't ideal for many people. It's in the northern part of Riyadh, and if you live or work south of the city, the commute might not justify the benefits. I'm fortunate to work nearby, but I wouldn't drive 40 minutes each way for it.

Four Months Later: Still Worth It?

I'm renewing my membership, which answers the question. But with important caveats: Apex makes sense for me because I use the amenities, value the environment, and can afford the premium without it impacting my budget significantly. I use the sauna 3-4 times per week, attend group classes, and benefit from training in an uncrowded facility with top equipment.

Would I recommend it universally? No. If you're starting your fitness journey, beginning at Apex is like learning to drive in a Ferrari—unnecessary and possibly wasteful. Start at a mid-tier gym, develop your routine and goals, then consider upgrading if it adds value to your training.

Apex is for people who've moved beyond "should I work out today?" to "how do I optimize my training and recovery?" If you're at that level and the price doesn't strain your finances, it's worth experiencing.

Resources on Training Optimization

For more information about advanced training methods and recovery:

• NSCA - National Strength and Conditioning Association
• Precision Nutrition - Evidence-Based Nutrition
• Stronger by Science - Training Research