Bradford Mosque's Pilates Class for Men Over 50 Goes Viral with Two Million TikTok Views
A Thursday afternoon Pilates class at a mosque in Bradford has become one of the most heartwarming stories of the year, with a TikTok video of the sessions accumulating nearly two million views and inspiring mosques from Malaysia to Canada to launch their own programmes — a reminder that the most powerful community initiatives are often the simplest ones.Background
The Jamia Usmania Mosque on Heaton Road in Bradford is, like many mosques across the UK, a place of prayer and community. But Mohammed Ilyas, the mosque's secretary, has long believed that it could be more — that a mosque should be a hub for the whole community, not just a place for Friday prayers. The Pilates class for men over 50, which began with just seven participants, was one expression of that vision.
The class was conceived by instructor Zafar Kayani, who noticed that while younger men had access to gyms and sports clubs, older men — particularly those from South Asian backgrounds — had far fewer opportunities for structured physical activity. The health statistics for older men in Bradford, as in many post-industrial northern cities, are sobering: high rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and musculoskeletal problems, combined with social isolation and limited engagement with health services.
Kayani's insight was that a Pilates class held in a familiar, trusted environment — after midday prayers, in a space where participants already felt comfortable — could reach men who would never set foot in a commercial gym. The 45-minute sessions, held every Thursday, focus on flexibility, core strength, and breathing — exercises that are particularly beneficial for older men with back pain, joint problems, and the physical effects of decades of manual work.
Key Developments
The TikTok video of the class, uploaded without extensive publicity to attract more local members, has accumulated nearly two million views on TikTok and many more on Facebook — a reach that has shocked the mosque's leadership. Mohammed Ilyas described the response as a source of "shock" and delight, noting that the video has generated inquiries from mosques across England and internationally, including Malaysia and Canada, seeking guidance on how to implement similar programmes.
The class has grown from its initial seven participants to 20-25, with numbers now limited by the available space. Participants range in age from their mid-50s to their 80s. Abid Khan, 62, who had a heart transplant in June 2024, said the classes helped him physically and emotionally and allowed him to meet new friends. Habib Rehman, 60, found relief for his sciatica and lower back pain. The sessions incorporate lighthearted humour and relaxation techniques alongside the physical exercises, contributing to the overall positive experience.
The mosque is now planning to expand its offerings to include women's classes and youth clubs in a new community building under development. Kayani believes the classes can positively impact public health and potentially reduce the burden on the NHS, noting that men from certain ethnic groups, including Asian men, are less likely to be physically active compared to the general population.
Why It Matters
The Bradford mosque Pilates story matters because it demonstrates something that public health researchers have known for years but that policy often fails to act on: that the most effective health interventions are those that meet people where they are, in environments they trust, with activities that are social as well as physical. A Pilates class in a mosque is not a revolutionary idea — but it is a profoundly practical one, and its viral success suggests that it has touched something genuine in people's desire for community and connection.
The class's reach beyond Bradford — to mosques in Malaysia and Canada — is a reminder that the UK's diverse communities are part of a global network of shared culture and faith. An idea that works in Bradford can work in Kuala Lumpur or Toronto, because the underlying human needs — for movement, for connection, for a sense of belonging — are universal.
Local Impact
For the men of Bradford who attend the Thursday class, the benefits are tangible and immediate: better flexibility, less pain, new friendships, and a reason to leave the house every week. For the broader community of Bradford — a city that has faced significant economic and social challenges in recent decades — the mosque's initiative is a reminder of the extraordinary resources that exist within communities when they are given the space and support to flourish. The class has also attracted attention from Bradford Council's public health team, which is exploring whether similar programmes could be supported and scaled across the city.
What's Next
The Jamia Usmania Mosque is developing plans for a new community building that will house women's classes, youth clubs, and expanded health and wellbeing programmes. A fundraising campaign is expected to launch in the coming months. Zafar Kayani has been invited to speak at a national conference on community health in June, where he will share the lessons of the Bradford programme with health professionals and community organisations from across the UK. The mosque's secretary, Mohammed Ilyas, has said he hopes the viral success of the TikTok video will help to attract the funding needed to expand the programme.
Sources: BBC News | The Guardian
