{"id":18896,"date":"2022-04-01T11:26:40","date_gmt":"2022-04-01T10:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bulk.com\/uk\/the-core\/?p=18896"},"modified":"2022-12-02T15:10:57","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T15:10:57","slug":"working-out-safely-this-ramadan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bulk.com\/uk\/the-core\/working-out-safely-this-ramadan\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Work Out Safely during Ramadan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ramadan, a time when Muslims across the world focus on community, self-reflection and devotion, takes place between 2nd April and 1st May. It\u2019s a time of fasting, however those wanting to continue their fitness routines can still do so safely and sustainably. Bulk\u2122 ambassador and fitness influencer, Maymah Makda, shares her advice on how to adapt fitness routines when fasting this Ramadan.<\/b><\/p>\n

By Maymah Makda<\/b><\/p>\n

Ramadan is the holiest time in the year for muslims around the world. It is a time of self-reflection and devotion in becoming a better person spiritually. Muslims fast from sunrise up until sunset, for 30 days consecutively, meaning that there is a very short window in which we can eat and drink. However, fitness routines can be upheld with a little consideration around three key areas: exercise, nutrition and sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

EXERCISE<\/b><\/h2>\n

During this month, I wouldn\u2019t recommend it as the best time to push for new goals, such as one-rep maxes or PBs, but rather a time to adapt your routine to maintain fitness and muscle instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Short, low-intensity workouts are best suited during this time – personally, I cut my compound movements short and only do two working sets as opposed to four, with half the weight I’d be lifting if I was not fasting. When it comes to accessory movements, I prefer doing working sets of eight reps at a lighter weight, as the goal here is to maintain muscle mass, as opposed to increasing strength or muscle growth. Intense cardio is definitely not something you want to do when fasting because of the risk of dehydration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I tend to train maybe just once or twice a week when I\u2019m fasting and do one upper body workout and one lower body workout, as it\u2019s very unrealistic for me to be able to fit in a workout on a daily basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

NUTRITION<\/b><\/h2>\n

Nutrition is a very important element, as instead of being able to top up our hydration and macros throughout the day, we can only do this at night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ideally, I would recommend having one main meal at sunset followed by snacks after prayers then try and catch up on sleep, with another small meal pre-sunrise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Get a good amount of slow-acting carbs in as they can help make you feel fuller for longer, which is great for the pre-sunrise meal. Also, don\u2019t neglect your protein. Personally, I opt for <\/span>Clear Whey Isolate<\/a><\/strong><\/span> alongside my evening meal. This\u2019ll also ensure that you hit your macros.<\/span><\/p>\n

SLEEP<\/b><\/h2>\n

Some Muslims are able to eat throughout the night if they stay awake, but for people like me who are still having to go to work, it’s imperative we get our sleep too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For me, working long shifts as a therapeutic radiographer for the NHS in the day means I can\u2019t sleep in the middle of the day, so I\u2019ve got to time everything effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

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TOP TIPS<\/b><\/h2>\n

For those wanting to maintain their fitness during Ramadan, I\u2019ll leave you with my five top tips:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Stay hydrated.<\/b> It seems obvious, but this is especially key when fasting for Ramadan, as there are only a few hours to fit in a full day’s worth of hydration.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Time your workouts effectively.<\/b> Conserving your energy is key, so consider all you have to do in a day, whether that’s work, school or simply spending time with family and friends. Don\u2019t use all your energy on a workout in the mid morning, as you\u2019ll burn out very quickly. Instead, I\u2019d recommend working out for one hour pre-sunset.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Keep things simple in the gym.<\/b> When in the gym, keep things super simple – no supersets, no drop sets, no reps to failure. You\u2019re not trying to pass out.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Plan your meals.<\/b> Breaking fast at sunset (Iftar) is usually a time spent reflecting with family and friends, and after a long day it can be easy to binge – especially if you\u2019re staying up late into the night to fit in more meals or snacks before Suhoor (the pre-dawn meal). Plan your meals ahead of time to stay on top of your nutrition.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Carbs and protein are your friends. <\/b>Ensure you\u2019re fuelling your body with good, nutritious food that\u2019ll give you sustained energy. It\u2019s tempting to turn to sugary foods, but you\u2019ll soon crash after. Carbohydrates will power you through, whilst protein will help you sustain muscle mass.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    We believe in sharing, and we\u2019d love to know what you think, so don\u2019t forget to tag us in your creations using <\/span>Bulk\u2122<\/b> products. Check out @bulk for more recipes, ambassador workouts and tips. Join the conversation and be part of our community by tagging <\/span>#TeamBulk. You\u2019ll find more inspiration from Maymah at<\/span> Maymah.lifts<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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