Doing sports and exercise during the day in Ramadan

The basic principle with regard to exercise or sports such
as running, swimming and the like is that they are permissible; however,
if they are disallowed, that is because of some other matter that is
connected to them but in principle has nothing to do with fasting or not
fasting. But we may say: 

If doing exercise or sports will lead to the fasting person
becoming weak and tired, and he will not be able to pray Taraweeh, then they
are makrooh because of what they lead to of missing out on one of the
virtuous acts of  the month of Ramadan. If they will lead to physical
weakness and the need to break the fast or carelessness with regard to
offering the prescribed prayers in congregation, then they are haraam. 

But if they will not lead to you failing to do obligatory
duties or missing out on some virtuous deeds, then they are not disallowed
and they are not makrooh, either when fasting or otherwise. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was
asked: 

During the nights of Ramadan, some of the youth play sports
or do exercise. What is your advice? 

He replied: 

We think that such activities are a waste of time and cause
people to miss out on highly rewarding acts of worship. This is not what the
Muslim youth should be doing with their lives; what they should be doing in
their lives is worshipping Allah, may He be exalted, and striving to benefit
the Muslims, either by walking about in the marketplaces and speaking out
against any evil they see, in a polite and gentle manner, or by gathering to
read Qur’an. 

As for wasting time with such matters, this leads to loss.
Now in reality their society has lost these youth if they are wasting all
their time in such pursuits. 

If a person wants to have fun by playing permissible sports
such as football (soccer), but he does that in moderation, we do not see
anything wrong with that, because it is training and strengthening the body,
helping the mind to relax and dispelling boredom.

End quote from Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh, 116/13 

There follow some words of advice concerning that: 

–        
They should avoid playing tough
sports and intense exercise during the day in Ramadan, especially in hot
weather; hot weather will cause the body to lose fluids, which may lead to
dehydration.

–        
The best time for exercising in
the month of Ramadan is just before iftaar or two or three hours after
iftaar; it is not recommended to exercise immediately after iftaar because
all the body’s energy at that time is focused on digestion.

–        
It is better to play sports or
exercise in places that are well ventilated, away from pollution and crowded
streets.

–        
It is better for the sports
played or exercises done during the month of Ramadan to be light and not
intense, such as walking or simple calisthenics.

–        
The level of exercise should be
moderate, so that it does not take up all one’s time; rather a specific time
should be set aside for exercise. 

In conclusion, it should be pointed out that doing exercise
or playing sport in general, and especially in Ramadan, should not distract
one from what is more important than that of matters pertaining to this
world or the Hereafter. 

For more information please see the answers to questions no.
93240 and
65734

And Allah knows best.