Coimbatore, TAMIL NADU :
Representative image
Coimbatore:
In a Muslim-majority neighbourhood of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, a women-only gym run by trainer and weightlifter Shabana is drawing women from across the area. The facility offers them a rare space to exercise, learn about nutrition and focus on their health.
Shabana said the idea for the gym came from her own struggle with obesity and the absence of fitness centres exclusively for women. “I weighed more than 140 kilograms. We looked for a gym in our area but could not find one exclusively for women. So I found a gym for myself and later became a trainer there,” she said.
Her path was far from simple. She studied only up to Class VII and faced serious health complications at 19, undergoing six or seven operations, including the removal of her gallbladder. “I became isolated from everyone. I stayed at home. My husband supported me throughout,” she recalled.
Although the gym welcomes women from all backgrounds, it has grown especially popular among Muslim women owing to the area’s large Muslim population. The facility operates throughout the day and is staffed exclusively by women.
Members say the gym goes well beyond physical fitness. “When I come here, it is not only about fitness. It is also a way for me to relieve stress. This place feels like a second home,” said one homemaker.
Women also receive guidance on nutrition. “We take care of our husbands and families but rarely take care of our own health. After coming here, we realised there was so much to learn about nutrition,” said another member.
One member lost 13 kilograms after three Caesarean sections, training under careful supervision. She initially kept her gym visits secret from her family, telling them she was going for a walk. After winning first prize in a skipping competition held at the gym, she revealed the truth. “They were all very happy,” she said.
The women exercise wearing hijabs and, in some cases, burqas. Members said the clothing does not prevent them from working out effectively.
Unlike many commercial fitness centres, the gym relies largely on floor-based workouts rather than expensive machines. “Everyone thinks you need machines to lose weight. That is not true. Most exercises can be done through floor workouts,” Shabana said.
Shabana also competes in weightlifting and has participated in the sport for five years. She faced strong opposition when she launched the facility. “People asked me how I could stand here alone from morning until night. But I ignored what they said. We had to move forward and prove ourselves,” she said.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Markers of Excellence> Personality> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / September 26th, 2026
