Embracing fitness whilst practising your faith
In a world where the fitness industry encourages skin-tight active wear, sculpted physiques, and a ‘no pain, no gain’ mentality, it’s difficult to find your place as a Muslim woman amidst it all.
In aid of Move Month this September, we’re here to shatter stereotypes, proving that modesty and empowerment can coexist in the fitness world. In this blog, we’ll explore 4 ways you can embark on your fitness journey whilst preserving your modesty.
1. Choose a modest outfit
When getting active, it’s important to wear modest clothing that will cover your whole body appropriately. For women, that’s wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers the entire body, including the arms and legs. For men, also wearing loose fitting shorts, and shirts that cover the torso.
There’s plenty of sport-specific modest clothing that you can get your hands on. You can have a browse, and see what you’re comfortable wearing, and whether it’s suitable for your activity of choice.
2. Correct your intentions – focus on your health
There’s nothing wrong with looking good, but that’s not what it’s all about. Allah has gifted us our bodies as an amanah and it’s our responsibility to keep it fit and healthy. We can do so by doing exercise and keeping active. If you make your intention for keeping fit solely for vanity, then you can fall into a rabbit hole of being too concerned about your outwardly appearance.
However, if your intention to get physically fit is also that you’re able to increase in Ibadah and take care of the body you have been blessed with, you will be rewarded for every action in take on that journey.
3. Gender-segregated facilities
When choosing where to get active, try to find a place local to you that offers gender-segregated facilities; be it a section of a gym, or even a class that offers it. This will allow you to be more comfortable and preserve your modesty whilst working out.
These facilities may have separate workout areas, changing rooms, or even designated hours when only one gender can use the gym.
If you’re unable to find a place suitable enough for you, there’s plenty of home work out videos and programmes you can follow from the comfort and safety of your own home.
4. Choose suitable activities
There’s plenty ways to move your body and get fit. That’s the beauty of it. Everyone prefers some activities over others, like a runner may hate swimming, whilst a swimmer may love it over boxing. There’s no right or wrong way to get fit, if you’re moving and enjoying it!
Although we’re not condoning being active in whatever way you see fit, it’s important to take into consideration the activity you’re doing and where you are doing it.
An example of this would be, if you’re in a public place and would like to get active, a hike or walk may be suitable or something indoors. Whereas if you’re on the beach, swimming or a beach sports may be harder to remain modest with.
It’s much more than clothing
Although we’re discussing modesty in clothing within this blog, it’s important that modesty is also a mindset. It’s more than your clothing, and where you decide to work out. Alongside that, it’s your character and how you treat others. It’s how you show up, and even how you treat the people you meet and the facilities you use during your fitness journey.
We’ve shared just a snippet of how you can embody modesty within your workouts. We hope it’s beneficial for you to continue or kick start your fitness journey.
If you’re looking for something to get you moving this September why not join our Archery Challenge. No experience needed and it’s a guaranteed hit. Learn more here.
You’ve got this! We hope this helps you move modestly onwards.