Jeddah Fitness Buffs Sweat Before Iftar

 During Ramadan, many individuals face the challenge of resisting calorie-dense and sugary iftar spreads.

Yet, fitness enthusiasts in Jeddah are proving their dedication by continuing to engage in various physical activities, such as cycling, jogging, paddling, running, boxing, and more, all while fasting.

Exercising before iftar has emerged as a popular trend this Ramadan for both men and women, with many opting to stay active in open spaces to reap the associated health benefits.

Tariq Abdulmajeed, a 42-year-old who walks daily on the Tahlia pathway before iftar, shared with Arab News: “Walking before breaking the fast is an effective way to exercise during Ramadan. It’s an ideal time to improve physical fitness and muscular strength.”

Fitness professional Nasser Al-Saadi emphasized that Ramadan is not the moment for intense workouts or breaking personal records.

“It’s a time to maintain your health,” he advised, encouraging people to focus on lighter exercises.

Exercising before iftar can help burn fat by relying on stored energy, but it may also risk dehydration.

Al-Saadi suggests activities like walking, stretching, or other low-intensity exercises for 30 to 60 minutes before iftar. However, he noted that exercising after iftar is optimal as the body is replenished with nutrients and fluids.

With the increased popularity of pre- and post-iftar workouts, gyms throughout Jeddah are noticing a rise in membership during Ramadan.

Mahmoud Abdul Raziq, a coach at Ultimate Power Gym, highlighted the importance of maintaining health all year round, not just during Ramadan.

“The discipline I’ve observed among clients during fasting is remarkable. Many of them are motivated to challenge themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually,” he said.

According to Abdul Raziq, group classes are strategically scheduled two hours before and two hours after iftar for the best results.

Many gym-goers aim to lose excess fat, preserve muscle mass, and tone their bodies. Most prefer to work out just before breaking their fast, often ending their fast with a date and water at the gym.

One member, 34-year-old Rayan Abu Hamza, said his goal is to maintain muscle mass and tone his body. “I’ve been coming to the gym before iftar since Ramadan began.

It’s more convenient than coming at night when the gym gets crowded, and the equipment is often unavailable,” he explained.

Saad Al-Zahrani added that exercising before iftar is his preferred time. “I feel more energetic and not lazy when I work out before breaking my fast, and it boosts my strength,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tawfiq Hamawi, a Syrian expat, favors exercising later due to work commitments.

He stated, “Ideally, I would work out two hours after iftar, as this gives the body enough time to replenish nutrients and fluids before exerting effort.”

Whether it’s walking outdoors, participating in group classes, or training solo at the gym, Jeddah residents are finding ways to maintain their fitness while upholding the traditions of Ramadan.

For these dedicated locals, Ramadan is a time to adapt and continue pushing forward in their fitness journeys, not an excuse to pause.

Source: arabnews

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.