Gym and Hijaab?

[*Mahzala*]

While I know there are two other threads related to the topic of our gym practices (and this will be merged over time), I wanted to ask how some women do it. What sort of clothes do frequent hijaabi's, who on a daily basis, do not wear anything above their knees, sport to the gym? At home of course, your exercise attire is very different to what is worn in a public place. Out of curiosity, and maybe seeking advice, how do you put the two together?

[*Mahzala*]

Can muslim women who attend "women only" gym sessions, not remove there hijab as they are surrounded by only other women?

They can, but that depends on the woman. For some, they just don't remove it in any public space, no questions about it. The scarf isn't too much of an issue. You can wear something like an amirah hijaab and be comfortable. The attire is my concern. Because hijaab isn't limited to a headscarf. Coming to the question of women-only gyms, there are very few. So how do people do it in mixed gyms and mixed sessions?

[IamDZJ]

these with a nice black t shirt...not so loose that it gets caught in the equipments and not so tight that moving around becomes difficult. even if you are in a ladies only section you have to keep in mind that if there is a medical emergency no one is going to bother about you before taking care of it or in case there is a fire and you need to run outside asap...

[Michin Khel]

Gym might be haraam...women are not supposed to grow large biceps and triceps...their body is supposed to be soft.

[*Mahzala*]

DZJ, thanks for that. I was looking out for a response from you in particular. I didn't think of the emergency, thanks for the reminder. I like trackies myself, however, the thought of a hijaab on my head with my arms bare doesn't quite do it for me. Do you sport something longer (sleeve and length wise) than a t-shirt?

[darwezkhail]

^ Your solution would be to buy a treadmill or similar machine and workout at home. Period...

[*Mahzala*]

^ Your solution would be to buy a treadmill or similar machine and workout at home. Period...

Been there, done that. Worked and didn't.

[IamDZJ]

mahzala our gym has a ladies only section which is why i don't wear a hijab while i work out. we used to have revive branches which were gyms only for women with women employs but they don't exist in our area due to the low membership issue.
if you do wear your hijab then it makes sense to go along with the long sleeves. the trouble with long sleeved shirts is the fact that the necklines are huge. so if you wear three layers and then start working out you will pass out just from the heat. they used to have sweats that came with hoodies which were fairly decent but they don't have those anymore.
i try going early in the morning or late after 8 in the evening. i m not that comfortable with too many women around either. what you can do is check to see if there are other hijabies with the same issue. (usually middle aged women) if you promise them new memberships they will get you a small room with a few equipments. you can rotate whatever machines you want to take there every week or so.

[Mayana]

How about sweat pants like the ones DZJ suggested with a loose T-Shirt and detachable sleeves? They sell those at various Islamic attire stores that carry undercaps too.



I've been thinking about what to wear when I start the gym soon iA and I think I'd go with that kind of an outfit.

[*Mahzala*]

mahzala our gym has a ladies only section which is why i don't wear a hijab while i work out. we used to have revive branches which were gyms only for women with women employs but they don't exist in our area due to the low membership issue.
if you do wear your hijab then it makes sense to go along with the long sleeves. the trouble with long sleeved shirts is the fact that the necklines are huge. so if you wear three layers and then start working out you will pass out just from the heat. they used to have sweats that came with hoodies which were fairly decent but they don't have those anymore.
i try going early in the morning or late after 8 in the evening. i m not that comfortable with too many women around either. what you can do is check to see if there are other hijabies with the same issue. (usually middle aged women) if you promise them new memberships they will get you a small room with a few equipments. you can rotate whatever machines you want to take there every week or so.

The gym I have inquired about has a women-only space, however, there are no other Muslim women I am aware of that attend this place. Over time, I suppose I could bring more Muslim women here. Trouble is, people complain of time. I don't blame them either. Or, they can fulfill their needs at home, something I have tried many a time. We have many women-only gyms in our area, however, they employ male trainers. Like you say, one should be careful in case of emergencies and the like and so I prefer the hijaab to stay in place. The sweater idea with hoodies, a great one. I have quite a few of those, but the thought of wearing them didn't cross my mind. You're right about big neckline, but I suppose, with a hijaab, that won't be an issue, for now at least. I quite like your ideas on this one. Shopping made easy. Bless you for your detailed response.

[Michin Khel]

What kind of gym you women do? Do you people lift weights like body builders or push ups?

[*Mahzala*]

Mayana: A long, tight-fitted dress (?!) was my idea too. Three-quarter sleeves would do it for me. More than that would be physically difficult too, kana. Detachable sleeves, not a bad idea, though I don't quite like the look of those. I consider your idea for the car-to-reception trips.

Your dress has embroidery, how cute

[Mayana]

Awo, more really would be difficult. =/ I don't know, I liked the idea of detachable sleeves because that way you don't have to wear several layers and can actually benefit from the airy and flowy nature of a loosely fitted shirt. And since they are tight, they wouldn't move when you're moving your arms and such..

And that was the only picture of detachable sleeves I could find.. I wasn't suggesting to wear that particular type of dress, although for some that might work.

[Michin Khel]

[COLOR=Indigo] They sell those at various Islamic attire stores that carry undercaps too.

It is very stylish, so provocative, it is totally unislamic dress.
Listen girls, young females are usually so thin and weak, why should you people exhaust your ATP?

[Catya Sher]

I hate to say this, but I am a total loss as to why people would not be doing sports : horseback riding can be done easily in hijab, or tennis, skiing, sailing, all of which I did constantly for years. They are more normal ways to get exercise and fresh air.
The phenomenon of going to a public place to "work out" seems like a trend brought from another planet. I can hardly believe seeing these exercise places with glass windows showing all these people doing exercises to the beat of rock or some dreadful music which one wouldn't listen to at home, to say the least.

The key is : don't eat! Choose foods wisely when one does eat.

And: if one is not inclined to sports, then do gymnastics at home.
I am very conservative but I think it's indecent for women to be showing off or showing their bodies unnecessarily to other women too!
A gym is a place of vanity usually.
So what kind of people would be attracted there?
It would totally repulse me to set foot in one, ever !

I do so much running around everywhere and lifting heavy things all the time in the course of a normal day that I couldn't imagine needing to go to some communal place like that.

Some thoughts to think about before you all roll your eyes.

Supposedly, gyms see an upswing of attendance at this time of year which tapers off by Feb or March.
This trend testifies to the fact that people simply overindulged over the past months.

So: just control one's eating. Perhaps a difficult thing in the Western world where there is a lot of pressure to eat junk food or sodas or chocolate: poisons that WILL take their toll, sooner or later, leading to long-term maladies.
But not if one is determined to eat only very small portions as the French do. And very healthy fresh salads, vegetables, Olive Oil, etc.

The best idea is to get outside and do physical work. I do.