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Glam Halal | november-december . 2020

in on Britain , there has been a dramatic surge in demand for Muslim personal trainers and gyms .

Personal trainers across London have noted rising demand among Muslim women as they seek to work out ‘ modestly ’ with other females in comfortable spaces that respect their faith .

Britain ’ s first gym for Muslim women opened in Cardiff , South Wales in 2016 , kicking off a growing countrywide trend towards specialised faith-conscious gyms and personal trainers .

According to Sport England , only 18 per cent of Muslim women take part in sports , compared to 30 percent of the total female population .

And five years before , the figures were as low as 12 per cent – indicating a rise in Muslim

Nazia Khatun

Dr Aishah

women taking up sport and fitness .

Dr Aishah Muhammad , an NHS pediatrician by day , says it was seeing Muslim women under-represented in the world of fitness that propelled her to enter the field of personal training .

“ There is a growing awareness of fitness across the board and this trends filters into the Muslim community ,” she told Arabian Business .

According to Aishah , who is Leicester and London-based , the demand for Muslim female trainers stems from “ a human need to connect to and relate to people who share similar identities and values ”.

“ In the fitness industry , the adverts tend to focus on skinny and Caucasian stereotypes ,” she said .

“ This is something that some Muslim women might not resonate with so they gravitate towards other Muslim women .”

According to East London-based boxer turned personal trainer Nazia Khatun , the coronavirus pandemic has notably fuelled demand from her clientele – which is 99 per cent Muslim women .

“ Since the onset of the pandemic , a lot of people have realised how important fitness is and they want to improve their immune systems ,” she said .

“ Fitness also helps people protect their mental health in this challenging time .” – Arabian Business