That is true. It’s huge in Egypt, too.
Somewhat off topic, I have a Gold’s Gym membership from the USA (with the little scan card) -— it works all over the middle east where they have locations.
Didn’t know about Egypt. I wonder what the history behind it is for Egypt ?
I know in Iran they have ‘traditonal’ places called “zoor-khaaneh” (literally meaning “house of strength” & not as popular in recent yrs as they used to be centuries or even decades ago). It is an equivalent of a gym in the west, where mostly men go to train, e.g. lift weights (traditional weights), wrestle, etc.. - but it isn’t like a modern gym (tho modern gyms do commonly exist there).
Interesting to know about Gold’s Gym, it sounds like a good arrangement to get maximum value from the membership fee even when one is overseas.