Saudi ViPR trainer Rawan Zahran shares her journey of setting up the SWEAT Army and how SWEAT Sport will play a pivotal role in helping Saudi women reach the 2030 Olympic Games.
"ViPR is one of the main tools in our facility. The versatility of this tool helps us to use it with all our clients"
Where did your passion for health and fitness come from?
I really got into fitness after gaining 28kg during my second pregnancy and reached a shape and weight I have never reached before. Along my journey to get back in shape I learned a lot about the true meaning of health and strength.
My transformation was the pivotal moment when I decided l couldn’t just give advice to friends based on my personal experience; I had to earn their trust and dive into this remarkable field of health and fitness.
What role has ViPR played in your fitness journey?
Ever since I discovered ViPR, my training has changed to a whole new level of fun, challenging and effective training. I was extremely happy to be the first to introduce ViPR to Saudi. All my clients love it and it's one of my favorite tools to incorporate into any fitness class.
"Anything is truly achievable if you put in the hard work! Never give up, even if it takes longer than you expect"
What was your initial aim for SWEAT Army and what are your long-terms goals?
My initial aim was to help women feel as great as I felt when I became healthier and fitter. In SWEAT Army we strive to create an environment that motivates, challenges and empowers women to become the best version of themselves through unique fitness experiences.
Our long-term goals are to become the leading fitness and health centre to provide innovative programs and services that result in measurable, transformational changes in the lives of women. We also aim to work towards the 2030 vision of Saudi to empower women in sports and create a fitter generation to represent us in the Olympics.
What role does ViPR play at your facility?
ViPR is one of the main tools in our facility. The versatility of this tool helps us to use it with all clients, from beginners and intermediates to advanced. ViPR is a great tool for beginners to practice stability and balance. With advanced clients, it’s always a challenging tool that makes a generic move more fun.
"There were very few trainers who were Saudi. Society wasn't quite ready for this yet"
How has the community around you reacted to your offering and how receptive have the local women been to getting involved?
The community has reacted very well to what we offer because it's something different and guided. It's not a gym where they enter and work on machines with no guidance – our training is specialized and catered to their needs. Fitness is booming in Saudi and local women are falling more and more in love with fitness.
Can you tell us some more about SWEAT Sport and your involvement in supporting Saudi to reach the Olympic Games in 2030?
The idea of SWEAT Sport came to me after I participated in a basketball game raising money for Breast Cancer. We played against local college teams with great players but I noticed their fitness and stamina could be enhanced. I also realized that there is no training facility in Saudi that specifically trains clients for sports performance. With the 2030 Olympic vision and legalising women participating in sports, those teams need a training facility to enhance their performance.
What's the biggest challenge you’ve faced on your journey? Have you any words of advice for anyone looking to achieve their goals?
The biggest challenge was having the guts to enter this field as, when I started, there were very few trainers who were Saudi. Society wasn't quite ready for this yet. The other challenge was always wanting to learn more, so I had to always travel to get certified in new fitness concepts. That's an area I plan on changing, as I'd like to help any women here who are interested in becoming a trainer to find the education they need in our facility. My words of advice would be anything is truly achievable if you put in the hard work! Never give up, even if it takes longer than you expect; it took me six years to open my facility.
Rawan Zahran
IG: @rzhealth
IG: @SweatArmyGym
W: http://sweatarmy.com