Knockout help for Ramadan

Reporter: Iram Ramzan
Date published: 13 June 2017


A POPULAR gym in Oldham is going out of its way to ensure its Muslim members can keep up with their training during the Islamic month of Ramadan.

Throughout the month, which started on May 26, many Muslims refrain from food or drink during daylight hours, which can make it difficult for people to to keep up with their gym sessions.

With Ramadan taking place in the summer, this year has made it more challenging for Muslims who are fasting, as they can only begin eating once again from about 9.30pm.

Fitbodz, in Primrose Bank, is accommodating its Muslim members by opening between 10.30pm and 1am from Monday to Thursday, allowing for workouts once the fast is broken.

The gym's usual opening hours are 8am to 9pm, but owner Karl Verbruggen then returns later to open the gym at 10.30pm until around 1am.

Karl (53), from Chadderton, said he has been doing this almost every year since he first opened the gym 13 years ago, and this year is no different.

He said: "These lads can't train in the day, so I thought I would give up my nights and come in and do this. A lot of lads come from other gyms. They'll come up for the month or pay for the night. Their training is a bit short - they'll come in for 30 minutes, hit things quick and hard.

"It's a lot more intense. They're doing it in a short period and they've not got as much energy. I take my hat off to them. I couldn't fast all day and then train at night."

Saqib Shad (39), from Coppice, has been a member of the gym for seven years. He said: "It makes you a part of a community. Karl is not Muslim and yet he's willing to return when he could be with his family, and open up for three-and-a-half hours in his own time. He's not even charging extra. He's going out of his way to help the community."

After the month, Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Fitr - the festival of the breaking of the fast - which is expected to fall on June 23 or 24.