How much does it cost to work out?
Hyphen spoke to six Muslims about their exercise habits and the price they pay to stay fit
For most of us, it can be hard to find the motivation to work out regularly at the best of times — never mind during an ongoing cost of living crisis.
Studies show people from lower socio-economic groups are less likely to be active than those from more affluent backgrounds. Women and Black and Asian people are also less likely to do exercise than others — with a lack of women-only spaces remaining a barrier for some Muslims.
Despite this, gym culture is on the rise and Britons are playing more sports than ever, according to a recent report from Sport England. So, we asked six people how they keep up their exercise habits, and how much it costs them.
Shaheen Ahmed, 50s, social worker
Lives in London and goes swimming at a council-run leisure centre.
Weekly swimming classes: £10
Total cost of working out per month: £40
I started swimming nearly four years ago. Before that, I hadn’t done any other activity on a regular basis. I’d always wanted to continue swimming since learning at school, but life was always too busy, especially with childcare commitments.
After my children got older, I decided to take weekly lessons. My wellbeing started to improve, which reinforced the habit and routine, and I feel so much fitter now. I do women’s-only classes due to my faith, which I love. I enjoy having swimming friends and feeling the camaraderie.
I tried a belly-dancing class once, but I couldn’t keep up. I’ve also tried Bollywood dancing, both at lessons at the leisure centre, which cost £8.50 per session, and at home through YouTube. That went better, but I definitely like swimming the best. My current objective is to be able to swim continuous lengths.
Sofiya Begum, 30, corporate lawyer
Lives in London and has a membership at the luxury health club Third Space, plus personal trainer sessions and ice-skating lessons.
Monthly gym membership: £279
PT sessions: £680
Ice-skating lessons: £188
Total cost per month: £1,147
I’m 30 now and I keep reading about how it’s really important to lift weights in your 30s and build muscle mass. As much as I would love to take up a sport and stay fit that way, I’m really conscious that for me to age well, I need to build muscle mass.
I do personal training sessions twice a week and usually follow up with a bit of cardio. On average, I go in five to six times a week. On my non-PT days, I’ll do a yoga session.
I think the membership on its own is a little bit expensive, but even if the gym did increase their prices, I hate to admit it but I probably would still keep going, purely because I feel comfortable there. It’s something I can afford, though now that I’ve calculated the cost it does sound ridiculous. Still, I wouldn’t want to switch to save £50 a month and then feel uncomfortable at a different place, as there’s a problem in many gyms where it feels like men are staring at you.
Bushra Azeem, 44, teacher
Lives in Leeds and works out at a local gym.
Monthly gym membership: £25
PT sessions: £30 per hour
Total cost per month: £145
Joining a gym can be intimidating, especially for someone who is visibly Muslim, but it’s been the best thing for me. Alhamdulillah, I can afford the membership and PT sessions. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to spend more for a fancy gym, but I prefer to splash out on travelling — I like to go to nice hotels, or to more distant destinations. I’d maybe switch gyms if there was a women’s-only gym nearby with a swimming pool, but I’m really happy where I am.
The gym has helped me grow in confidence. It’s diverse — there are Muslim women and women of colour there, which makes it more comfortable. I have built a bit of a sisterhood here.
Amro Tabari, 38, renewable energy engineer
Lives in Brighton and goes running with GoodGym, an organisation that combines fitness with community volunteering.
Total cost per month: Free
I started with GoodGym back in September 2017. I was looking for a place where I could combine exercise with doing good, without having to go through the trouble of signing up to a traditional gym or a formal volunteering organisation. I enjoy that I can cover long distances in my home town and explore areas I haven’t been to before.
GoodGym itself is free, and running doesn’t really cost you anything apart from the gear. I tend to buy new running shoes once every five months for £90.
I’ve tried to combine running with traditional gym workouts, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and yoga, but I always find the demands of life get in the way and I end up giving up on those activities, while running always remains part of my workout. It helps me focus, takes me away from social media and I can do it any time for free.
Mahmoud Adam, 40, teacher
Lives in London and practises boxing and football.
Football pitch hire: £25 per week
Total cost per month: £100
As a kid, I dreamed of being a footballer, but I picked up an injury and suffered racial abuse in the team I played for, so I left. When I was 13, I joined the mosque boxing club.
Fitness clubs at mosques are great because there’s a real sense of community and it’s a safe space to build confidence. At first, I was a trainer for new people, then as I got bigger, I fought them. The club was a mix of people: Muslims and maybe 70% non-Muslims.
Now, I box at the park for free with friends who want to maintain fitness and self-defence skills. I’d like to start working out at the gym, but the cost is ridiculous for what you get.
As an adult I picked up football again and play a few times a week with a group of friends. It costs me £25 per week as we share the rent of the pitch. I do think sports pitches are getting really expensive. They should be nationalised, as there’s a camaraderie and understanding that comes from doing team and community sports.
Tuhid Ara, 52, IT consultant
Lives in Manchester and goes hiking.
Total cost per month: free
I started hiking during the Covid lockdown. With travel restrictions in place, I would explore what was local to me, including the Peak District. That was where I discovered my passion for hiking.
I hike once a week or fortnight, depending on whether I have an expedition to train for. Though I wasn’t very active beforehand, I have always had a sense of adventure and enjoyed exploring new places. Through hiking, I get to see the best views in the UK.
Hiking is fantastic for my mental wellbeing. It’s free, but you do have to be aware of transport costs. I sometimes lead groups for the South Manchester Walking Group, free of charge, to provide a service for people who cannot afford it, or do not have the confidence to hike alone.
