Finding Balance in a “Man’s Gym Time” World
As an avid health enthusiast, I have faced many obstacles maintaining a fitness regime during my travels. From the Middle East to Africa to South America, I have learned the importance of balancing health with self-grace. With some extra planning and creativity, there are many ways to find movement in a foreign country. Below, I will share some personal experiences and tips to inspire your wellness-filled adventures.
No, you can’t come in, it’s ‘man’s time’, habibti
The small town of Meknes, Morocco did not have much to offer women in regards to health and fitness. Most of the nice gyms did not allow women to use the “men’s room” (weight room) or they had an gendered entrance schedule. There were many instances in which I would show up after walking miles to get to a particular gym and was turned away because it was “men’s time”.
sigh. eye roll. When is it NOT "man’s time" in Morocco?
I probably had 4 or 5 different gym memberships that Spring.
Hijab-free belly dancing
Morocco did, however, have gyms and studios specifically for women sprinkled throughout the medina jadida, new city. These spaces usually consisted of a small room or two with outdated cardio machines and plastic dumbbells weighing the equivalent to your phone.
Unable to do my usual weight training in a traditional gym, I was given the opportunity to try something completely new. I attended cardio classes with my homestay mom and American roommate thinking it would be something similar to group classes in the states. Instead, I stumbled into a Goddess circle, a movement class with outdated French step-class vibes, but a safe space for Muslim women to tap into their feminine energy amongst other women.
Weekly, a group of 10-15 women of all ages and sizes would shed their hijabs, belly dance and “do sport” for an 60 minute class full of laughs and sexy energy. I can still see my middle-aged, tired, homestay mom watch herself in the studio mirror as she shook her hips and danced with sassy confidence. She transformed. ✨
She was no longer the woman I watched cook and clean endlessly. She was no longer the woman fighting with her husband when he’d come home screaming about mud on the floor. (The man who spent every day smoking in the male cafes’ and roaming the souk)
She was a Goddess. She was powerful. She was free,
if only in those moments,
if only in that space.
One of the more sacred moments of my travels thus far, I was reminded why to cherish being a woman. I have the privilege to witness the fiery divine feminine in all of us, even in modest women like Fatima. She exists in us all. ✨
Travel-Fitness Resources
I would spend afternoons in my Moroccan homestay atrium doing HIIT workouts, using resistance bands (The X Bands) and using health apps like DownDog and Nike Training Club.
Nike Training Club will allow you to create a training plan and download the workouts so you can use it with or without wifi. You can also choose the length of the workout.
DownDog is a great Yoga application that has a variety of difficulty levels and sequence types. You can choose the length of the flow and it allows you to play music in the background while you’re being guided through the poses.
An obvious, but overlooked exercise option while you’re exploring is to go for a long walk, jog, or run. Many times, the last thing I want to do when I’m on vacation or traveling is to run. However, running requires no equipment and has some of the best stress-relieving benefits. Always take into consideration cultural norms and safety when deciding where to exercise on your travels. It may not be appropriate or safe to run the neighborhood in some places, but you can always look for a park, trail or track.
In Colombia, I was on a budget and didn't want to pay for a gym pass every day. Instead, I walked down to the Universidad Del Quindio campus and did sprints around the track. In Morocco, there was a public pond area that I ran laps around. There was also a public garden park that many people ran and exercised at.
The Girl Who Runs the World
Meet Kendall in our article about her health journey in Jordan and how running allowed her to see the world from a different perspective than most.
My Moroccan gym memberships don’t seem so crazy when you read about KJ and her love for running and traveling.
Her experiences living in Jordan and adventures across Europe are truly inspiring.
An Idea that Became a Dream
My workouts on cold, Moroccan tile and lack of women’s fitness facilities is what inspired the birth of Trek Travel Mats. My time abroad is also what slowed me down enough to incorporate yoga for the first time in my life. It wasn’t for another 4 years or so that I found yoga again and became a student of the practice and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200). 🧘♀️
My love for Mother Earth is why our mats are travel-friendly and eco-conscious, made from 100% natural rubber, free from PVC, latex and phthalates. They are designed to fold and fit in your carry-on or suitcase. Durable and machine washable so you can take your practice or movement outdoors or in any environment.
My go-to travel fitness equipment:
Discount code: JameeTreks
Headphones
I love the durability, stability and sound quality of the Powerbeats Pro
Jump Rope
HIIT, Yoga and Guided Meditation Apps