Kashmir’s First Certified Woman Fitness Trainer

Aaliya Farooq, Kashmir’s first certified woman fitness trainer, has broken stereotypes with her choice of career. Farooq said that most women are shy and avoid going to the gym because of male instructors.

A mother of two children, she faced a lot of health issues after pregnancy, such as obesity and depression.

"My husband suggested that I join a gym, but I was not sure whether a male trainer can understand the female body or not. I went to Delhi and was inspired by married women who were fit, and I decided to join the gym there. I lost almost 28 kgs in four months," she said.

Aaliya Farooq faced a lot of challenges and criticism in starting the gym centre, but she didn't take them seriously. "My husband and in-laws supported me to run this fitness centre. All this was possible only because of their continuous support," she added.