The Awkward Beginning

I used to walk into the gym praying no one noticed me. My outfit was a combination of oversized tees and baggy sweatpants that screamed “I’m here, but please don’t look.” Every treadmill felt like a spotlight, every mirror an enemy.

For a long time, I told myself fitness spaces weren’t made for Muslim women like me. But that story started to crack the day a friend said, “You deserve to feel good in your skin and your scarf.” That sentence sat with me longer than any workout session ever did.

The First Step – Buying the Outfit That Changed Everything

Scrolling through online one night, I stumbled across a local modest wear brand featuring hijabi athletes who looked comfortable and confident. They weren’t hiding behind layers; they were moving with purpose.

Many online related products kept popping up. Their designs were smart, breathable, and looked nothing like the boring sportswear I grew up with. So, I took a leap.

When I zipped up my first modest activewear set, it wasn’t just fabric. It was permission to move, to sweat, to belong. I didn’t expect confidence to come in polyester, but there it was, woven into every stitch.

The Rise of Modest Activewear in Singapore

Fast forward to today, modest activewear is no longer a quiet corner of fashion. Singapore’s gyms, parks, and yoga studios are starting to see a new kind of movement one wrapped in purpose and style.

Brands are finally realising that Muslim women don’t need to choose between modesty and movement. International names have joined the game, but what’s exciting is how local designers are holding their own ground. The products are elegant, made for Asian Muslimahs and best of all affordable.

There’s something powerful about seeing Singapore based Muslim women design clothes for our climate, our culture, and our comfort. It’s not just business. It’s belonging.

Confidence Comfort and Community

When I wore my new activewear to class, something changed. Not in the outfit, but in me.

A fellow hijabi smiled. Then another. Soon we were chatting about where to find breathable hijabs that don’t slip mid plank and leggings that actually stretch without showing too much.

That was the day I learned confidence grows faster when shared. Communities like XXXX Company and online fitness groups for Muslim women are turning workouts into safe spaces. These women aren’t competing for attention; they’re cheering each other on.

Faith Meets Function

In Islam, the Prophet ﷺ encouraged physical strength and wellness. Taking care of your body is part of faith, not a distraction from it.

So, every time I lace up my shoes, I remind myself: this isn’t vanity, it’s gratitude. Modest activewear bridges that gap beautifully. It respects our values while helping us stay fit and grounded. You don’t have to compromise who you are to feel strong.

What This Means for Muslimah Entrepreneurs

There’s another ripple effect happening. Muslim women are no longer just wearing modest activewear they’re building the brands behind it.

From design studios to online stores, more entrepreneurs are creating products that reflect faith, comfort, and creativity. It’s not only fashion; it’s empowerment stitched into business.

And this space is wide open. Fitness studios, modest wear brands, halal skincare lines all have room to collaborate and grow within this community.

Final Reflection

Looking back, I realise it wasn’t really about the clothes. It was about claiming space respectfully, confidently, and together.

Confidence doesn’t come in a size. It comes in a story. And every Muslimah who chooses to show up, no matter how small the step, is rewriting what empowerment looks like.