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Please note that deliveries may experience delays due to the Eid holidays. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

How to Fuel During Ramadan for Cycling & Running?

Cyclist riding during Ramdan

Mustafa A. Hathiyari |

Fueling During Ramadan:

Guide for Cyclists and Runners in the UAE During Ramadan.

Ramadan is a time of discipline, reflection, and routine. For endurance athletes, it also brings a unique physical challenge. Training while fasting means no food and no water during daylight hours often in warm UAE conditions.

This changes how your body works. Your energy is lower, your hydration is limited, and recovery becomes more important than ever.

But here is the good news: you can still train, stay fit, and feel strong during Ramadan. You just need a smarter fueling and hydration strategy.

This guide will show you:

  1. When to Train
  2. What to drink and eat
  3. How to hydrate properly • How to recover faster
  4. A simple fueling table you can save and follow

We will also explain how tools like Flowbio sensor and nutrition options from Maurten, SiS, Sponser, and Pickle Juice can support your training.

First, Understand the Real Problem: Hydration

When you fast, your body goes 12–14 hours without fluid. But during training, you still sweat.

Sweat contains:

  1. Water
  2. Sodium
  3. Electrolytes

When you lose too much, you may feel:

  1. Tired
  2. Weak
  3. Heavy Legs
  4. Headaches
  5. Muscle Cramps

Many athletes try to fix this by drinking only water after Iftar. But here is something important most people don’t know:

Water alone is not enough.

Your body needs electrolytes, especially sodium to properly absorb and use the water. Without sodium, water passes through your body too quickly and hydration stays incomplete.

What Are Electrolytes?

Have you ever wondered what electrolytes actually are?
Electrolytes are minerals that help your body function properly. The most important ones:

Sodium:
Controls hydration and fluid balance. 

Potassium:
Supports muscle and heart function. 

Magnesium and Calcium:
Help muscles contract and relax.

Think of sodium as the key that allows your body to use water effectively.

This is why athletes use electrolyte drinks, not just water.

Flowbio

Every Athlete Is Different: This Is Where Flowbio Helps.

Not everyone sweats the same.

Some athletes lose 500 ml per hour. Others lose over 1,200 ml per hour. Some athletes lose twice as much sodium as others. Guessing is risky.

Flowbio measures:

  1. How much fluid you lose
  2. How much sodium you lose
  3. How much you should drink
  4. How much sodium you need 

This gives you a personal hydration plan.

For example, Flowbio may show:

  1. Sweat rate: 900 ml/hour
  2. Sodium loss: 800 mg per liter


This means after a 90-minute ride, you need to replace about:

  1. 1.3 liters fluid 
  2. 1,000 mg sodium

This makes hydration precise and safe. 

When Is the Best Time to Train?

There are two ideal training windows. 

Option 1: Before Iftar (Easy Sessions)

Best for:

  1. Easy runs (45–60 min)
  2. Easy rides (60 min)

Benefit: You can hydrate immediately after. Limit intensity.

Option 2: After Iftar (Better for Performance)

Best for:

  1. Longer rides
  2. Harder workouts
  3. Structured training

Benefit: You can drink and fuel before and during training.

This is the best option for quality sessions. 

Fueling and Hydration Table (Save This)

This is your simple guide.

CLCLING:

Training Before During After

Ride < 60 min before Iftar


Nothing Nothing

500 ml water + electrolytes & carb drink


Ride < 60 min after Iftar


500 ml water + electrolytes


Water if needed


Normal meal


Ride 60–90 min after Iftar


500 ml water + electrolytes


500–750 ml electrolyte or carb drink


Water + normal meal


Ride 90–120 min after Iftar


500 ml water + carb drink


1 bottle carb drink + water


Water + meal



RUNNING:

Training Before During After

Run < 60 min before Iftar

Nothing Nothing

500 ml water + electrolytes

Run < 60 min after Iftar

500 ml water + electrolytes

Not needed

Normal meal

Run 60–75 min after Iftar

500 ml water + carb drink

Optional gel

Water + electrolytes + meal

What Should You Drink?

There are different options, depending on your needs.

Option 1: Electrolytes Only

Best for hydration without calories.

Mix 1 tablet of your favorite electrolyte drink with water.

Good for:

  1. Short Sessions
  2. Hydration Support

Option 2: Carbohydrate + Electrolytes

Best for longer or harder sessions.

For example, drinks like Maurten Drink Mix 160 or 320 provide:

  1. Carbohydrates (energy)
  2. Sodium (hydration support)

This helps your body recover faster and maintain performance.


Especially useful:

  1. After training
  2. Before longer evening sessions

Option 3: Concentrated Electrolyte Support

Pickle Juice shots provide highly concentrated electrolytes with no sugar or caffeine.

These can be useful for:

  1. Heavy sweaters
  2. Hot conditions
  3. Additional sodium support

Hydration Between Iftar and Suhoor

This is your only hydration window. Do not drink everything at once. Spread fluids across the evening.

Example:

  1. Iftar 500 ml water + electrolytes
  2. After training 500–750 ml water + electrolytes
  3. Before sleep 500 ml water
  4. Suhoor 500 ml water + electrolytes

Flowbio can help determine your exact needs. Some athletes need 2.5 liters. Others need 4 liters.

Suhoor: Prepare Your Body for the Next Day Suhoor

Suhoor is very important. Focus on:

  1. Water
  2. Electrolytes
  3. Carbohydrates
  4. Protein

Avoid dehydration before the fast begins.

Most Important Rules to Remember During Ramadan

Simple checklist:

  1. Hydrate between Iftar and Suhoor
  2. Use electrolytes, not only water
  3. Reduce training intensity if needed
  4. Train after Iftar when possible
  5. Listen to your body
  6. Recover properly

Final Ramadan Thoughts

Training during Ramadan is absolutely possible. The key is not pushing harder, but training smarter. Hydration is your number one priority. Electrolytes help your body use fluids properly. Carbohydrates help restore energy.

Tools like Flowbio can give you precise hydration insights. Nutrition options like electrolyte drinks or carbohydrate mixes can support recovery and performance. Most importantly, stay consistent and listen to your body. Ramadan builds discipline and discipline builds strong athletes. 

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