East Lansing Islamic Center’s Women-Only Gym Removes Fitness Barriers for Muslim Women

At 33 years old, Ghallatt Jhmedou Nass went to the gym for the first time. 

Attending mixed-gendered gyms poses unique challenges for Muslim women like Nass, who balance dressing modestly and comfort while working out. Nass explained that performing dynamic movements in modest garments like an abaya – which is similar to a long dress – is tricky. 

In the fall of 2024, the Greater Lansing Islamic Society opened a women-only gym in the Islamic Center of East Lansing. Women who work out at the gym are able to wear shorts and t-shirts, instead of an abaya or hijab that they would wear at a traditional gym. 

“It was my first time trying the gym … I feel it’s something special,” said Nass, who now works out three days a week. 

To ensure privacy, the gym is an open space with no windows, except for one on the entrance door that is covered with a frosted film. The entry door is locked and equipped with a camera that uses facial recognition technology. 

Inside, three flat screens line a wall in front of SOLE and Echelon cardio exercise machines.

The opposite wall features mirrors, a rowing machine, a stationary bike, free weights and an open area for yoga. There is a curtained changing area in the corner for privacy. 

Opening a fitness center was a long time in the making. Board member Janine Sinno explained that a past community needs assessment with the Michigan Fitness Foundation was done to gauge community needs; this showed an overwhelming demand for a fitness center. Now, members pay $10 per month to use the facility. 

“When I come here, I am very comfortable,” Sinno said. “I can listen to any lecture I want while I’m exercising. It’s nice.”   

The decision to keep the women-only gym stems from a lack of comfortable environments for women who wear the hijab.  

“Many women who wear hijabs are not motivated to go and use other gyms where there are men, so this gives them the privacy that they’re seeking,” said Thasin Sardar, a board member for the Islamic Center of East Lansing. He noted that the center hopes to offer more fitness classes like yoga or Pilates in the future.

The project was funded through community donations and loans. To sustain its annual operating budget, the Islamic Center aims to bring in around $400,000 to $500,000 during its Ramadan donation drives.