A gym promoting a religiously motivated concept is opening in Dietikon, Switzerland, on October 20. Founded by three brothers, 954 Studio sees itself as a place where halal training is possible and where retreat is combined with spirituality, as reported by the newspaper Blick. Even before its opening, it is already causing controversy.
The 954 Studio is primarily aimed at devout Muslims, but according to the operators, it is open to everyone. Co-founder Tolga Argön explains the motivation behind the project: ‘954 Studio was born out of a desire for more privacy, respect and a protected training environment.’ The operators promise an environment that complies with Islamic regulations – from separate training times to exclusively halal snacks and drinks. At the same time, Argön emphasises that non-Muslims are also welcome.
The training schedule (picture above) is split up pretty clearly. Women get way more training slots and can train any day of the week. Men, on the other hand, can only train on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. and on Saturday from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The operators point to high demand: half of the memberships have already been sold, even though the studio has not yet opened.
In addition to training, faith also has its place. The website states: ‘The 954 Studio also takes your spiritual needs into account. There is a clearly defined area in the studio that can be used for prayer.’
The 954 Studio operates completely autonomously and without on-site staff. Access, administration and information are managed via an app. A digital access system, video surveillance in the entrance area and regular patrols by a private security company ensure security.