More and more desi women are opting to go to the gym, especially in the younger generation.
Do you, as a woman, go to the gym - like a commercial gym (or some high class ritzy gym for those of you with money trees)?
If you do go, what do you wear? Given that you’ve still got to be that holy muslimah
If you don’t go, then WHY do you not go?
Do you think its an inappropriate or immoral environment for a woman to be in? Does it make for a bad influence, that is the environment? (We all know, hopefully, that there is nothing wrong in exercising).
I work out at a commercial gym. Its mixed (men and women). I try and go at non-peak hours. More women in the mornings.
I also wear regular workout gear. Lycra pants and t-shirt. Wear a light jacket through my workout. As long as you are decently dressed, nobody bothers to look at you. Thats my opinion :)
Do you, as a woman, go to the gym - like a commercial gym (or some high class ritzy gym for those of you with money trees)?
When I was in college, I used to go to "24 hour fitness" regularly but haven't been going since moving. I plan on starting my "gym routine" again within the next few months.
If you do go, what do you wear?
Sneakers, sweatpants, t-shirt.
If you don't go, then WHY do you not go?
Well, I haven't been going since I moved out of my parents house simply b/c I've been too busy with work.
Do you think its an inappropriate or immoral environment for a woman to be in? Does it make for a bad influence, that is the environment?
No, I think every woman(and men too) should do some type of exercise on a regular basis to stay healthy. I don't go to the gym to check out guys. I can't imagine that any guy would be checking me out considering the way I look when I'm in the gym(sweatpants/sweaty/no makeup/crappy hair etc). Actually, in my personal experience, when I used to go the gym, I rarely felt like anyone was "checking me out". Most people are too focused on their workouts. Mos of my friends(guys and girls) work out regularly and I don't ever recall anyone I know mentioning anything about checking any "hot guy" or "hot girl" out at the gym.
Gym is a bit of a culture in my family. My parents are both sporty and have therefore made it a part of our lifestyles.
1) I go to Virgin Active - its the best chain here. I absolutely love it because its ritzy but not too pricey and has everything!! I love the people that go there, the classes, sauna, steam, the cafe.
2) I wear those long lycra pants with a t-shirt usually. I used to wear 3/4 pants but shaving legs regularly is a pain and I feel more comfy in the long pants. My mum used to wear leotards in the 80s! lol!
3) No way. Although as a single woman I dont mind as I enjoy looking at eye-candy. Maybe once I'm married I'd go to a womens only gym and feel more comfy in that environment. But my parents have absolutely no qualms about it.
I used to go to an all female gym (I think I tried 3 to 4 differnet ones). Never lost any weight as I was never consistent.
Now I have my own workout plan I do at home, and I lose weight consistently, mash'Allah. It includes weights so its great.
When I used to go to the gym I wore a dupatta, loose clothing, long pants. Probably deemed a freak when doing aerobics in 15 layers of clothing, but it was manageable. hehe
I had no issue since I was at an all girls gym. I was a little wary of one of my instructors once, thats about it. I myself would never join a co-ed gym. I just wouldnt join a gym at all anymore.
Pakistani women should definitely go to the gym since lots of them have nice Grecian figures that are ruined by all the oily cooking (which is also bad for skin tone).
Do you, as a woman, go to the gym - like a commercial gym (or some high class ritzy gym for those of you with money trees)?
Yes and yes. It’s ritzy, but it’s convenient since it is right next to work and my firm has a corporate account with them which means a discount for me. It is still more expensive than other gyms, which I have been a member of in the past (i.e. Exclusively Women’s … which sucks in my experience). The difference at the gym I am with now is in the quality and expertise of the fitness instructors and trainers. This gym has the best classes and instructors that genuinely care about those who come to the gym and are regularly in their classes. It makes for a better work out environment.
If you do go, what do you wear? Given that you’ve still got to be that holy muslimah
Track/yoga pants and a t-shirt. I’m a big fan of adidas shoes and work out clothes.
If you don’t go, then WHY do you not go? I do go.
Do you think its an inappropriate or immoral environment for a woman to be in? Does it make for a bad influence, that is the environment? (We all know, hopefully, that there is nothing wrong in exercising).
Nothing immoral about it. It’s a healthy and postively encouraging environment to be in. I’ve been going for about 2 years now and see a physical as well as mental difference.
1-Yes I have been going to a gym for the past year and a half and am quitting as of jan 31st. Its a mixed gym. Initially I felt awkward, cos I thought someone or the other would always be looking at me. After a while i realised that no one gives a damn really which made me feel more at ease. I used to love the classes they offered but lately due to shortage of attendance they have discontinued some of the evening classes and the others are much too late for me to be able to go right after work. One of the reasons I am quitting.
2-I wear sweatpants and a teashirt with sneakers like everyone else here.
3&4- When I didn’t go it was cos my parents had a problem with it. Somewhat related to question number 4. They thought the environment was inappropriate and found it shameful for good muslim girls to be running amidst men even if it was on a treadmill! This was about some 3 yrs ago. I went for about a month and fought everyday to be there, but they just didn’t get it. I tried to make them understand that there were a lot more girls in a lot less clothes who the men would rather be looking at but no siree they wouldnt understand it. I even offered them to come and take a look at what went on at the gym but they turned down my generous offer. Eventually I quit. Then about 2 yrs ago I had put on weight due to spending excessive time sitting and ofcourse adopting all the wrong eating habits there were to be had. I had changed jobs by then and there was a gym right across the street from work. So I decided to just join without informing my parents. To my surprise that same week my mum said to me ‘why don;t u join a gym?’ I was shocked out of my wits wondering what caused the change of mind! Maybe she saw that i really really needed some exercise, don;t know. and now even my father says, this gym really did you good! I don;t care to know what changed their opinion as long as it changed. Now my mother herself wants to join a gym too
Since I was a teen I've been running or walking, but never joined a gym. I have light weights at home and do yoga occasionally.
I wear track pants and t-shirt.
I don't go to a gym because it's more convenient to be at home and just work out whenever I want to. I also don't want to pay a monthly fee and not use it.
I don't think a gym is a bad environment, although there are some that are known to be 'meat markets'. It all depends on your attitude and whether you are there to get fit or be seen.
I went once for 3 months, then I had to quit. That step/stair thing was a bit much and my friend was a slave-driver. I do pilates and yoga at home now.
Track pants, teeshirt
a) Laziness b) There is no gym close enough to my home. I used to go to the one opp my office, but I couldn't be bothered to wake up early enough to work out before work; didn't like getting hot and sweaty in my lunch hour; and after work I had... better things to do with my time :D c) Didn't want to spend 45 bucks a month and waste it.
Whether or not it's a good environment depends on your attitude, as everyone is saying.
IMO, no "real" muslim girl wll ever go to a mixed gym. However this also doesnt mean you can just sit home and get fat - one can join a female only gym or get a treadmill at home.
Oh so all these girls who go to gym are fake muslims?
I personally dont think mixed is a good idea but when these girls mix with guys in other places such as work, school, parties then why is working out with guys so different?
So far I've been going to university gyms only. No reason to obviously to pay a monthly fee for fitness classes that I know i won't be attending. Plus univ gyms got all the equipment anyway and i have friends who are there to give good workout tips.
T-shirt & sweatpants/yoga pants/ track pants - whichever one is clean. And sneakers obviously.
I haven't gone in a couple of months due to hectic class and exam schedules. Have a treadmill at home, so will be running soon insha'Allah.
I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Everyone does their own thing, guys are crowded in the weights sections anyway. I don't see how i could be badly influenced by such an environment.
I go for a fwe weeks then stop a few weeks then start up again.
i been bz at school and i work, ironically, at a gym… but the school gym hours r really crappy..
It is still more expensive than other gyms, which I have been a member of in the past (i.e. Exclusively Women’s … which sucks in my experience). The difference at the gym I am with now is in the quality and expertise of the fitness instructors and trainers. This gym has the best classes and instructors that genuinely care about those who come to the gym and are regularly in their classes. It makes for a better work out environment.
I was shocked out of my wits wondering what caused the change of mind! Maybe she saw that i really really needed some exercise, don;t know. and now even my father says, this gym really did you good! I don;t care to know what changed their opinion as long as it changed. Now my mother herself wants to join a gym too 