At first glance, it seems like a paradox. In the midst of a complex economic context, where daily life demands prioritizing the essentials. Training rooms and private gyms in Cuban neighborhoods. From Havana to Holguin are bustling at almost any hour. “Fitness culture” is no longer a passing fad or a luxury reserved for a select few. It has solidified as a social phenomenon, a refuge for mental and physical health that is gaining followers of all ages.
However, exercising consistently in Cuba means swimming against the current and facing a daily obstacle course.
Creativity in the Face of Scarcity: The Triumph of the Rustic Gym
Where digital treadmills, central air conditioning. And state-of-the-art machines abound in other parts of the world, ingenuity prevails in Cuba. The typical scene at many local gyms consists of:
-Homemade and rustic pulleys: Constructed with repurposed bearings and adapted steel cables.
-Cast iron or concrete weight plates and dumbbells: Handcrafted modules that defy both gravity and the passage of time.
-Wooden structures and welded pipes: Improvised setups that demonstrate how popular ingenuity transforms discarded metal into strength training stations.
Sweating depends not on the gleam of the machine, but on the discipline of the person pushing it. This “neighborhood fitness” has crossed borders and even gone viral on social media due to the determination. With which young people and adults train in frankly spartan conditions.
The Budget: Monthly Fees, Diets, and Supplements
Maintaining this lifestyle isn’t easy for the average worker or student. The monthly cost of a private gym membership, plus the expense of a balanced diet rich in protein (eggs, chicken, grains), represents a significant financial strain.
Also the situation becomes even more complicated when we talk about sports supplements:
The nutrition dilemma: Imported protein powders, creatine, and multivitamins reach astronomical prices on the black market or private trading platforms. What is an affordable supplement in other countries becomes a high-end item here. Something the vast majority must supplement with their often limited daily diet.
Why are they still there?
Given this situation, one has to ask: what motivates hundreds of people to get up early or go at the end of the day to lift weights or do calisthenics?
The answer goes beyond aesthetics. The gym has become a space for disconnecting. It’s a place where daily stress is released, the body is strengthened against illness. And a supportive community is created. Between sets, gym-goers share advice, motivate each other, and find a healthy escape from their routine.
Furthermore the fitness boom in Cuba is, ultimately, yet another example of our people’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity. Without touchscreens, without sophisticated protein shakes, and against all economic odds. The passion for physical well-being demonstrates that willpower will always outweigh any weight.
By: Álvaro Raúl Suárez Leyva
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