I work out regularly. Are there any gyms in Damascus?

Yes! In fact there are quite a few and a number of them are near the St. Elias Monastery where we will be staying.

Unfortunately, the facilities are not always particularly good, and there are typically different hours set for women and men. Weights are very common in most facilities and you can find facilities with treadmills. Although we are living in a particularly safe area, it is generally not recommended for women to jog in public (especially not alone) so finding a gym, even if the facilities are not ideal, is still probably the best bet for those who want to exercise regularly. We will also, of course, be walking a great deal. So, as long as you avoid the almost overwhelming lure of Damascus' sweets, you'll probably find yourself keeping in good shape this summer.