{"id":437849,"date":"2026-01-26T04:21:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T04:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/437849\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T04:21:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T04:21:07","slug":"pilates-after-prayers-mens-classes-in-bradford-mosques-offer-fitness-and-friendship-bradford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/437849\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilates after prayers: men\u2019s classes in Bradford mosques offer fitness and friendship | Bradford"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s early afternoon on a gloomy day at the Jamia Usmania mosque in Bradford<\/a> and a group of mostly elderly men have finished their midday prayers.<\/p>\n

The assembly of mainly retired men would usually return to the familiar drumbeat of day-to-day life, but instead they make their way downstairs to tackle squats, glute bridges and the butterfly position in the mosque\u2019s weekly 45-minute pilates class.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a very unique thing for older Asian men,\u201d said Zafar Kayani, 69, the pilates instructor. \u201cThey\u2019re coming here for their spiritual health. Then getting that physical exercise and mental wellbeing, and they\u2019re connecting with each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018They\u2019re connecting with each other,\u2019 says instructor Zafar Kayani (in grey top). Photograph: Christopher Thomond\/The Guardian<\/p>\n

It has been a whirlwind few weeks for the organisers of the pilates sessions, which began at three mosques in Bradford with a small number of attenders. A TikTok video<\/a> promoting the class went viral, since amassing almost 2m views, and interest has grown, with up to 30 people attending each session.<\/p>\n

The TikTok sparked interest from mosques across the UK and farther afield, including from Malaysia and Canada, with inquiries on how similar initiatives could be implemented for their congregation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe never expected it to go that viral,\u201d said the mosque\u2019s general secretary, Mohammed Ilyas. \u201cIt was just a general upload to promote and get more members in. It started from Bradford and if it goes worldwide, we believe it\u2019s a positive thing and we\u2019re making a change.\u201d<\/p>\n

The class is attended by men of varying abilities, aged between 50 and 80. \u201cThey feel comfortable in the environment,\u201d Ilyas said. \u201cThey come to pray already at the mosque, and after the prayers they can just join in the class, [in] whatever they\u2019re wearing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The men can join in the classes in whatever they\u2019re wearing, says the mosque\u2019s general secretary. Photograph: Christopher Thomond\/The Guardian<\/p>\n

The session begins with stretches before moving on to more strenuous exercises. So far the classes have been a success, with people noting improvements in their mental and physical wellbeing.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore I used to feel ache[s] everywhere, all over [my] body,\u201d said Mohammed Salim, a 66-year-old retired shopkeeper. \u201cBut when I started walking and doing exercise, it\u2019s much better. Recently I had the pacemaker fitted, but I don\u2019t feel anything because I do the activity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tahir Butt, 74, has had a double-knee replacement, and said the classes had been \u201cvery beneficial\u201d. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t think of doing those exercises [before] because of my condition,\u201d said the retired bus driver.<\/p>\n

Kayani, who runs the sessions, believes the classes will have a positive impact on public health and the NHS. According to government health data<\/a> on physical activity published in 2024, men from the Asian (59.6%) and \u201cother\u201d (60%) ethnic groups were less likely to be active than the overall average (65.6%).<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen they start there will be aches and pains, there will be groans,\u201d said Kayani. \u201cA few weeks along the line, you can see they\u2019re doing [it] with ease.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is beneficial for the NHS. If there\u2019s less people going to see the doctors, going to the hospital appointments, it\u2019s less cost to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the focus on physical exercise, the instructor keeps the sessions lighthearted and jovial, punctuating the 45-minute period with witty comments and humour \u2013 and telling people they are \u201cmen of steel\u201d.<\/p>\n

A man takes part in the weekly pilates class at the Jamia Usmania mosque. Photograph: Christopher Thomond\/The Guardian<\/p>\n

At the end of the session, he invites the group to close their eyes, breathe deeply and imagine the bliss of being on holiday in a hot climate, prompting a short period of quiet and calm in the room. \u201cOpen your eyes and you\u2019re back in wet Bradford,\u201d he says, triggering laughter.<\/p>\n

Akhtar Malik, the manager of the Bradford Youth Development Partnership, said the sessions had fostered friendships and helped to tackle loneliness. \u201cThat\u2019s the key thing \u2013 being happy, laughing \u2013 [it] gives you that motivation to keep coming, week in week out,\u201d he said. \u201cWe provide a social platform where they can meet other people. It\u2019s a friendship group.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Ilyas, the success of the pilates sessions has spurred on his mission to transform the mosque into a space not just for prayer but for community activities \u2013 with plans for a female pilates class and youth clubs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs well as a mosque, a community hub where people can join in other activities, which were provided by the council 20 years ago but are nonexistent now \u2013 we want to make that happen again,\u201d Ilyas said. \u201cMake it as accessible as possible, not just for the elders, for the young generation as well, make the mosque welcoming.\u201d<\/p>\n