Men in Gaza Defying Gravity with Urban Fitness

Gaza never ceases to amaze us with their ever-increasing Renaissance stories! One of our newest discoveries of Gaza motivation actually came together in 2015. A group of young men have taken to the streets and destroyed buildings to build up their own bodies, calling themselves ‘Bar Palestine’.

Despite the blockade, these men knew that innovation comes from within and have become the first street workout team in Palestine! Awareness to their group has been increasing through their Facebook posts, and even AJ+ has shared videos and images of them, stressing that there is absolutely no excuse not to workout!

Since Gaza’s current situation has left many unemployed, affording a gym is considered a luxury. Acknowledging this, Bar Palestine took their street workout to the streets, where even old sofas were turned into workout benches.

Bakr al-Makadmeh, 23, came upon street workout through videos on Youtube, and this inspired him to form the group Bar Palestine. He told AFP that they don’t work out all day because some of them do have jobs, “but every other day we get together in the evening for two hours of street workout”, on the waterfront of the Mediterranean.

Images of this group of ever-increasing men are pervading the internet. They hang off the sides of destructed walls and, strangely, off of each other’s bodies! Gaza’s cities have become their own personal gym.

Finding motivation in things, even rubble, is what keeps the people of war-torn countries alive. They do not simply let their life drift away, they just discover new ways to bring their lives back to the forefront. Gaza is struggling, but its people are definitely making it out quite impressively!

Don’t forget to leave a smile :)!