What about Exercising during Ramadan?

“Is it okay to exercise during the fasting hours of Ramadan? When is the best time to exercise during Ramadan?”

These are the common question I usually get from my clients.

There is a lot of debate regarding these questions. Some people say it is best to work out before Iftar others say after.

I mentionned before how health fasting can be done during the whole month.

https://www.eatlikemira.com/2012/07/20/fasting-during-ramadan/

Now personally, I think that workout should be done after Iftar, and before having the main dish. So get your dates and yogurt, eat your salad or soup, go to pray then hit the gym!

After that, you can go directly to you main dish.

I definitely wouldn’t recommend exercising at 8 o’clock in the morning, and then not drinking water after your workout. Your risk of dehydration will be high and that can  harm  your body if you do not replenish what is lost after your body has released fluids through sweat.

I also do not advice you to directly workout before an hour of breaking the fast!

Why??

Before Iftar, our body is dehydrated so it lacks the vitamins and the minerals needed. And when we are exercising, sweat will flush out more minerals from the body. This Will make us feel dizzy, with no energy.

Besides that, fluids are needed for heart and muscle functions. You tend to feel cramps because of the lack of magnesium.

On a non- fasting day, the best time to exercise is in the morning before breakfast because we burn directly the fat. But at least we are allowed to drink water or to have a piece of fruit before starting, which compensate for the 8 hours of fasting during sleeping.

Muscle cramps are very common during Ramadan, and especially when you exercise due to the wrong food consumed, food that lack some essential vitamins. To prevent this problem, you need to eat more food containing magnesium like cheeses, egg yolk, bananas, almonds, raisins, broccoli and dates.