Top Reasons to train throughout Ramadan.

1.       Time of Day – When you are fasting it is still possible for you to work out and in some cases it is just as important if not more so. When you are fasting, you need to exercise just before the beginning of your fast or just before Iftar. The reason for this is so that you are able to consume food close to your workout and that your body will still recover. If you exercise during your fast, please take the following tips into account. It will make you lethargic, tired, exhausted and may cause you to sleep. The best time of day to exercise is in the late afternoon. For example, if Iftar is called at 7:20pm, then exercising any time after 530pm onwards is fine. Once you finish your one hour workout, you will have one hour, to rest recover and prepare for Iftar. Not only that your body will be craving nutrients. It is recommended that you eat within 1.5 hours of finishing your workout.

2.       Environment – The environment is also something that needs to be considered when looking at maintaining your fitness throughout Ramadan. Depending on the time of day that you exercise, it is extremely important and depending on how close to Iftar you exercise, to do so indoors. If you do this it will reduce your dehydration rate, reducing your bodies sweating speed and also reducing your need to consume water.

3.       Must bring – One of the most important things when fasting to have with you when exercising is a wet towel. Preferably a cold wet towel. This will assist, just like the environment point above in the following: reduction of sweat, reduction of the need to drink water, is refreshing and will reduce the rate of dehydration.

4.       Choice – Choose the sport or style of exercise carefully. Obviously don’t go an run a marathon whilst fasting. Light weights, yoga, Pilates, walking, light cardio. All of these will not have an adverse affect on your hydration.

5.       Know you’re Limit – Whilst exercising, make sure that you are very aware of your body and you don’t push yourself to hard. Know when your body is reaching its point to stop exercising and listen. The whole point of knowing your limits is to also know when to stop and to do so.

6.       Plan Plan Plan – Sit down and plan your workout, don’t exceed it or push yourself to hard. Plan it and complete it.

7.       Breaks – When exercising at any time of the day whilst fasting. Make sure you take regular breaks during your training. This will reduce the likelihood of feeling sick, nauseous or faint.

8.       Buddy Training – During any time of the year, it is both important and beneficial for you to train with a mate or gym buddy. They can spot you, encourage you, make you accountable and even challenge you to do your best. During Ramadan, it is even more important to train with someone during this time. They will not only do all the above, but they will also look after you, should you push too hard and not follow the above points.

It’s important to continue to keep exercising throughout Ramadan. Just remember everything is good in moderation.