How Peloton Members Exercise During Ramadan

As Muslim Members are aware, we’re in the midst of Ramadan, a time of personal and spiritual reflection. Those who celebrate Ramadan fast from dawn to sunset every day for the month. “We do this to enter a period of self-reflection, abstinence, patience and to remember the most vulnerable ones without food and water,” says Peloton Member Safiha A.

While fasting can be difficult, many of our Members still prioritize exercise during Ramadan. Here, a few of them share how they manage to keep moving during Ramadan, and why it’s so important to them to stay active. (Just remember, if you want to fast and sweat, make sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider beforehand.)

Slow and Low Is the Way to Go

Ramadan is not the time to shoot for a PR, Members say, because they have less energy and doing anything that’s considered high intensity while fasting isn’t safe. “When the fasting month starts, I don’t exercise for the first two days,” Safiha says. “I let my body adapt to getting used to no food or water. After that I’ll try to do some form of exercise every day, like a brisk walk or strength training session.”

Member Maggie H. says she and her husband stick to low-impact, no-pressure workouts while they fast. “Between lack of energy and limited sleep that comes with kids maintaining the same level of activity is difficult,” she says. “Instead, we keep each other active by doing outdoor walks together, and I try to find pockets of 10 to 15 minutes a day to do yoga, stretching or Pilates. Ramadan is a marathon, not a sprint, so if I miss a day, I try not to sweat it.”

Exercise Can Make the Fast Go Faster

“I like to work out an hour before breaking my fast,” Safiha says. “That last hour of the fast feels very long to me ... this lets my mind push my body through the workout.”

When it comes to working out, every minute counts—and short and sweet can go a long way. “I use my Bike+ for 15- to 20-minute low impact or recovery rides prior to breaking my fast,” says Member Amina N. “I’ll stack that with a 5- to 10-minute strength class because I know I can refuel and rehydrate soon after working out.”

Movement Is Part of the Celebration

Fasting can make Members feel more tired than usual, but keeping in mind the point of Ramadan can help them find the motivation to exercise. “Islam teaches us that our bodies are a vessel for our spiritual selves,” says Amina. “Ramadan is a reminder to take care of your spiritual, emotional and physical health.”

Plus, being able to exercise during Ramadan helps them stay confident about reaching their fitness goals in the future. “It helps knowing that I won't have to start from scratch once Ramadan is over and can resume my regular activity at the same or similar level,” Maggie says. “This month is about honing your spiritual fitness, so incorporating exercise keeps my mind fresh so I can really focus on what matters most.”

One of the most important steps for these members: remembering to rehydrate properly. Amina drinks a large water tumbler throughout the night to make up for the fluids she missed out on during the day. And Safiha breaks her fast before going into evening prayers with some salt, water, a date and a slice of watermelon, to fill up on both water and electrolytes.

Aiming for Progress, Not Perfection

You hear the Peloton instructors preach about the importance of progress, those tiny baby steps, and the same rings true for those celebrating Ramadan who want to stay active, especially on the days where they don’t work out as much as they’d like.

“This is by no means an easy experience,” Maggie says. “It requires planning, goals and determination. But there's also an element of forgiveness. It’s important to keep reminding myself to take one day at a time and one activity at a time. And if I can't today, there's always tomorrow.”

Ready to join these Members on the Leaderboard? Take a class on the Peloton App today!

Remember, each person's fitness level is unique. Your workouts should reflect your own comfort and fitness level. Consult with your doctor and consider any underlying medical conditions before taking Peloton classes.