Feeling underweight
and low energy
For most of her life, Ayesha was told being underweight was a “good thing.” She grew up eating little, praised for being skinny, and carried that belief into her teens.
At 17, she joined the gym, sticking to cardio because that’s what she thought she should do. But despite the hours, the results never brought happiness.
- 2-min booking
- No commitment
- Whenever suits you
- Choose any club
Discovering strength training
Then in 2022, everything changed. A friend introduced her to strength training, and for the first time, Ayesha enjoyed a workout. Lifting weights gave her something cardio never had: confidence, energy, and joy.
There was no going back.
"I went to the gym with my friend and did his workout and I loved it… I was like, this is what I’m looking for. I could actually get stronger if I do this."
Real progress
Over the past 18 months at Fitness First Clapham, she’s focused on strength, balancing it with cardio, and in the process gained 5kg of healthy muscle. More importantly, she’s gained pride in how her body feels and what it can do.
From chasing “skinny” to chasing strength, Ayesha finally found her goal, to be strong. And for the first time ever, she really feels it.
What Ayesha found here:
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Coaches who taught safe lifting & progressions, so the weights area felt welcoming.
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A clear plan that balanced strength with cardio and built week-on-week confidence.
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A community that celebrates strength, not “being skinny,” which kept her coming back.
Published: 18 August 2026 Last Updated: 23 September 2026
