My home, my gym: Bodybuilder’s pandemic-born business flourishes

AMMAN — The banality of the nine to five workday is not for everyone, certainly not for Al-Hussein Al-Kilani. Kilani is an MBA graduate, a personal trainer, bodybuilder, and business owner. اضافة اعلان

He owns his own gym which just happens to be conveniently located at his home.
 
At the start of the pandemic, when all of the gyms were shut, Kilani was looking to get a few machines to train on at home, when the idea came to him. “It was difficult, I couldn’t train, so I came up with the idea, and it actually worked pretty well. People were just looking for anyone to train them,” Kilani said, in an interview with Jordan News.

His initial plan was to open a commercial gym, but because of the pandemic, that dream proved difficult to make come true. 

Kilani has been training since he was 15 years old. His first time competing in a championship was in Cyprus, in 2018 at the Republic Championship where he placed third. Afterward, he joined the Jordanian national bodybuilding team, and placed third at the Arab Cup in Egypt.

All of this is what he is truly passionate about, and what drove him to start his business.

The gym is in a large, open space with machines and equipment everywhere. All equipment is laid out on top of turf giving the area a positive vibe, giving the feeling of working out outside. Across from the gym is an indoor pool, which is not open to the public due to the pandemic. 


Al-Hussein Al-Kilani’s home-based gym has thrived since the beginning of the pandemic, said. The gym owner used to lift professionally and got the idea after not being able to lift during the pandemic. (Photo: Handout from Al-Hussein Al-Kilani)

Initially, Kilani didn’t face difficulties, and the whole process was uncomplicated. His first clients were friends and relatives. Within two months, through word of mouth and promotion through social media, his clientele grew. 

“The best part is that I can manage my own time. I set my own times,” Kilani said. He stressed, however, he is also responsive to his clients’ needs and what times they prefer to come to the gym. But, it’s an easy commute to work, as he lives just up stairs.

His gym is not restricted to personal training or to just men; he has female clients and teenagers from all different fitness backgrounds and levels. Kilani also shares his know-how and experience in the fitness field to debunk the “many myths in the fitness industry”, as when companies try to market training programs or supplements. 

Kilani said that there’s always a bad side to promotions and marketing as more often than not harmful products get advertised without proper precautions. 
“For example, people always ask me about fat burners, they think it’s this magic pill, and they’re going to burn fat. Of course, I tell them it’s almost entirely caffeine and stimulants,” he said.

“Most people think they’re going to take this (pill) and instantly lose fat. If you take it in the specified dose, it’s fine, it’s not dangerous, but you can overdose on this easily. It has very high levels of caffeine,” Kilani said.
 
His passion for his gym and fitness in general is clear. He is adamant that he can’t “just sit and stay in an office”, that, he said, would be difficult to bear.
Kilani looks to the future and hopes to expand his business, and officially open the commercial gym he intended to open all along with a healthy food restaurant attached to it. 

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