Finding a comfortable, private space to work out is a priority for many Muslim women. Whether you wear a hijab or simply prefer a female-only environment, standard commercial gyms often fall short.

Fortunately, the UK has seen a surge in women-only gyms and dedicated female fitness spaces. Here is our guide to finding the best options near you.

Types of Women-Only Gym Spaces

When searching for a female-only gym, you will typically find three setups:

  1. Dedicated Women-Only Gyms: Entire facilities restricted to women only (both staff and members). This is the gold standard for hijabi women who want to train without their headscarf.
  2. Separate Ladies' Rooms: Large commercial gyms that have a walled-off, private section exclusively for women.
  3. Women-Only Hours: Local community centres or leisure centres that reserve the entire gym or swimming pool for women during specific times of the week.

Top Tip for Hijabis

Even in a 'ladies only' section of a commercial gym, check the visibility! Sometimes these rooms have glass walls overlooking the main gym floor, or male staff may randomly enter for maintenance.

Popular Chains with Women-Only Facilities

1. The Gym Group & PureGym

While neither chain is exclusively for women, many of their larger locations across the UK feature dedicated 'ladies only' workout rooms. These usually include a mix of cardio machines, free weights, and mats. You can filter for this facility on their respective apps.

2. Energie Fitness for Women

Energie operates several boutique studios specifically for women across the UK. They focus heavily on circuit training and classes, offering a very supportive and private community environment.

3. Independent Local Gyms

The best dedicated women-only gyms are often independent businesses located in areas with high Muslim populations (e.g., East London, Birmingham, Bradford). A quick Google Map search for "women only gym near me" will often reveal hidden independent gems.

Modest Activewear Options

If you have to train in a mixed gym or outdoors, modest activewear is a great solution. Many mainstream brands like Nike and Adidas now offer sports hijabs and longer-line workout tops. For a full breakdown, check out our guide to Modest Fashion Brands in the UK.