TMU now offers women's-only fitness classes at the Recreation and Athletic Centre (RAC). Two student leaders, Fiza Ijaz and Jamilah Uddin, made it happen.
Both Muslim women faced barriers in sports growing up. They created a program they wish they had when they were younger.
Jamilah Uddin (left) and Fiza Ijaz worked together to launch women-only fitness classes at the RAC.
How they met
Ijaz and Uddin met while working in the Recreation Department. They both worked as customer service and outreach personnel.
The job helped them feel more connected to the TMU campus. In December of 2024, TMU Recreation created new equity-focused leadership roles. The two friends joined forces and became co-Muslim women equity leads.
"I couldn't have done it without Fiza," said Uddin. "I feel like you always need a second opinion and I am no way comfortable in making those big decisions by myself."
"We have two very different experiences. And I think that bringing them together helps us," added Ijaz.
Planning the program
The two leaders did their homework. They talked to staff and students about their needs. They studied when people used the RAC. They figured out how the new classes could fit with the existing programming.
"We are super intentional with the way we go through our processes," said Ijaz.
They worked with their coordinator Matt Edmonds and director Andrew Pettit, to create a realistic plan.
The classes officially launched in fall of 2025 and have already become popular.
Turning lived experience into leadership
Ijaz graduated from TMU in June 2025 with a degree in Occupational Health and Safety. She loved sports from a young age. When she was in third grade, she moved to Pakistan to live with her grandfather.
"Back then, especially given the political climate of Pakistan, girls were discouraged from playing sports," said Ijaz.
Her family supported her anyway. She started a junior women's cricket league with her sisters and cousins.
"Some of my best memories in Pakistan were from my junior cricket league," said Ijaz. "That's something I hold dearly to my heart."
Uddin is a third-year Nursing student. Her male cousins taught her how to play soccer, badminton and other sports. But things changed as she got older.
"I did ultimate frisbee for some time and badminton, but it kind of got harder as I grew up because I started wearing the hijab at a pretty young age," said Uddin.
She chose to wear the hijab herself. But she didn't expect how it would affect her comfort in sports.
"The hijab wasn't making me want to stop playing; rather it became more uncomfortable playing with it," she said.
Creating safe spaces
Ijaz and Uddin wanted to make the RAC a safe space. They focused on Muslim women who practise modesty and still want to be active and work out.
"As Muslim women, we have modesty requirements within the religion and there are no set requirements for every person. Everyone follows it differently, religion is how you take it," said Uddin.
They noticed many Muslim women felt most comfortable in group fitness classes. So they worked to improve these spaces for their community.
Student responses and future plans
"I get compliments all the time telling me how amazing it is," said Ijaz.
Even though Ijaz graduated, she's happy to see their program flourish.
"Nearing the end of my student endeavours and on the brink of graduating, I wanted to see something come to life before I left," said Ijaz.
Uddin continues as Muslim women's equity lead. She's worked on more initiatives, including the women-only hours in Studio One and new weekend women-only hours. She's also collaborating with the Muslim Student Association to create future fitness programming.
Uddin hopes to continue making a difference at TMU. She also wants to use these skills in her nursing career.
"[I want] programming for everyone, no matter what culture you come from, what kind of comfort level you have, like whether you're a beginner or you've been going to the gym for a long time, there's a space at recreation for you," said Uddin.
