Gaza Gym in Bombed Basement Becomes Hope for Hundreds

When the building above Champions Factory Gym was bombed, owner Mohamed Ziad al-Biss cleared the rubble from the basement floor and kept the doors open. Now, without electricity and surrounded by cracked walls, dozens of men show up daily to train in the sunlight streaming through blast holes.

Al-Biss, who can bench press 419 pounds, charges about $13 monthly for membership. He posted videos of himself training amid the rubble in May 2024, and the gym has filled with both old and new members ever since.

The men who train here work as plumbers, tailors, electricians, and construction workers. They say the gym isn't a luxury but a necessity for releasing stress and maintaining hope.

Mohammed Al-Salami, 26, stopped training for months after the war destroyed his neighborhood and workplace. When he finally felt ready to return, he started coming four times weekly between tailoring shifts. "Sports are the only way for us to release our negative energy and rebuild ourselves," he says.

Abdullah Al-Farra, 24, explains that with no work and nowhere to go, exercise has become essential. Food is scarce and chicken breast costs more than most can afford, but the coach helps make training possible for members who struggle financially.

Ibrahim Amer, 29, a plumber, returned to lifting after a long break when his mental health began improving. His advice to young people who've lost hope: don't make excuses about lack of food or water. "The most important thing for a person is their health."

Why This Inspires

These men are choosing strength over surrender. In a place where war has destroyed buildings, jobs, and routines, they're creating something positive from the wreckage. They're not waiting for perfect conditions or enough food. They're showing up, supporting each other, and proving that hope can survive anywhere.

Al-Biss continues preparing for international competitions, even though borders remain closed. Several other gyms have reopened across Khan Younis, meeting huge demand. Young people are choosing to build their bodies and dreams instead of staying home in despair.

The Champions Factory isn't just producing stronger bodies—it's proving that the human spirit can lift more than weights.