Want to stay fit during Ramadan? No sweat, say fitness experts in Pakistan

Sundus Jamil of The Space demonstrating a HITT work out (image via The Space Instagram)

Students at a pilates reformer class at Body Labs in Karachi which recently opened a leg of their studio in Islamabad (image via Body Labs Instagram)

• Physical trainers talk to Arab News about misconceptions and solutions to maintaining a healthy lifestyle while fasting in the holy month
• Ramadan is not the time to set fitness goals, it should be treated as a time to maintain a health lifestyle, many say

ISLAMABAD: Working out and staying fit can be difficult on the best of days, and in the holy month of Ramadan, when fasting Muslims go without food or drink from sunrise to sunset, it’s even more difficult. But no sweat, say many fitness trainers and experts; there are ways to do it just right.
Alizeh Imtiaz, head trainer at Islamabad’s multi-fitness studio, Body Lab, dismissed the notion that fasting during Ramadan is an excuse to ditch the gym.
“Unlike yesteryears, most people continue to work out in Ramadan...there have been less than five percent of clients who do not continue,” Imtiaz said. “Working out while fasting is a lot less draining than one assumes. A lot of it is also psychological. My clients are surprised by how far they can push themselves while fasting,” Imtiaz added.
Sarah Malik, a personal trainer who works at a HITT, or high intensity interval training, studio in Islamabad said the biggest misconception about working out while fasting is that you can eat high-calorie, fried and processed food items as long as you workout.
“Unfortunately, that’s not true!” Malik said. However, she said it was an encouraging trend that some gyms remained open 24 hours a day during Ramadan.
“It’s both a productive and social part of the month because clients workout and socialize with their friends at gyms and studios, then grab a bite for sehri before heading home,” Malik said.
Imtiaz agrees, adding that the only issue people need to overcome is “binge eating at iftar.”
“Whether it’s Ramadan or not, adhering to calorie control and general guidelines of avoiding bad fats will keep a person on track,” Imtiaz said.
Both Malik and Imtiaz agree that Ramadan is not the time for weight loss, but to maintain an already healthy lifestyle, without completely abandoning the gym.
Sundus Jamil, Co-Owner of The Space in Islamabad, couldn’t agree more.
“Ramadan is not the time to set fitness goals...it should be treated as a time to maintain,” Jamil said.
By launching The Space, a fitness studio which provides a variety of classes, including dance, fitness and yoga, that are specifically designed for women, Jamil hopes to change things up.
“Don’t let Ramadan be an excuse to not work out, just change your goals to maintain a healthy lifestyle as opposed to weight loss/gain,” Jamil said. “If gym isn’t your thing, go for a walk, or play a sport with your friends, go swimming. There are endless options out there as long as you’re disciplined enough to stick to it.”