There’s an exercise routine for everybody. And there’s an exercise video for everybody, too.
Nadine Abu Jubara, a woman from Florida, has created a new fitness DVD called Nadoona Extreme – which is geared towards Muslim women.
The goal of the video: to allow women to get fit while still “fulfilling moral and religious obligations”. Devout Muslims often believe that modesty is important, especially for women – and that includes modest dress.
Nadoona Extreme fulfills those criteria. While demonstrating exercises for her audience to follow, the instructor wears a long sleeved top and pants, as well as a hijab – instead of the classic short-shorts and crop-top that are the sartorial choice of most DVD fitness coaches.
Jubara writes that, “long sleeves and flowing tops shouldn’t mean flabby arms and love handles.”
In creating the DVD, Jubara enlisted the help of her personal trainer, Zainab Ismail, and the pair set out to prove that, “We can be healthy, stay fit, and still fulfill our moral and religious obligations, while making it enjoyable all in one.”
Each of the workouts also starts with a prayer that aims to “[reinforce] a core understanding that a healthy body comes from a healthy soul, and vice versa.”
In a statement on their website, the business motivation is explained:
In today’s mainstream fitness videos, all you see is skin, skin, and more skin. Working out while staring at the body of a half-naked fitness professional only leads to unattainable and unhealthy goals. The Nadoona woman doesn’t need to show skin as a reason to have toned arms and a formidable six pack. The best way to be strong is to feel strong, and that means taking care of your health, inside and out.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Jubara explained, “The fitness industry is feeding off superficiality and insecurity. We’re trying to say it’s not about how you look, it’s about how you feel and why you’re doing it.”
Top Comments
I'm not trying to be snarky or judgemental here, just something I genuinely want to know- wouldn't having a healthy/fit body be considered immodest because men tend to be attracted to that?
Some men are attracted to large women, some skinny, some pregnant, some with big thighs, some with big boobs, some with round arses, some curvy and some athletic etc etc. Then here are those that are attracted to anything with a vagina.
Trust me I'm covered. You ain't seeing nothing here and men still are sleazy.
My body is good. I'm happy with it. But I work out for me. I don't feel good being overweight or underweight but rather strong, full of energy and fit.
I have never understood the need for skintight exercise gear. Isn't it hot and sweaty wearing Lycra, are there any benefits?
Men don't feel the need for Lycra, aside from cycling, so is it just a fashion thing? If it is a fashion thing why do overweight women wear it when it is possibly the least flattering thing they could squeeze them self into?
I waaaaay prefer tight clothing when I work out, although what I wear isn't Lycra. Can't stand having t-shirts or baggy track suit pants flapping around me.
I wear leggings and tight singlets when I work out as I'm clumsy and baggy clothing is kind of a risk since I'll probably trip over my pants or get tangled in a long t-shirt!
Men do wear lycra; Skins, Under Armor and the other brands are quite popular. I'm just getting back into running after an almost 5 year break and am carrying about 8 kgs to much but will soon be able to get back into my lycra for all the benefits it brings. I used to do aerobics in bike pant style pants. Much better than shorts.