Soccer (Football)
Working Out Twice a Day Can be Worthwhile – Here’s How
Freestyle football world champion Sèan Garnier does it, and you can too. Here’s how he trains throughout Ramadan, with tips you can take with you through to the rest of the year.
During Ramadan, Sèan Garnier likes to keep active both during the day before iftar, and later on in the evening.
“I try to [maintain a] normal [routine as much as possible], he says. “I train just before iftar… it’s the end of the day, so you can put in an extra effort, and after that you can drink a lot of water and you’ll feel good.
“Then after iftar I do a second session during nighttime. It's a good time to refresh, to be with yourself and to meditate. Plus, all my best ideas – my best moves, my best creations – come at night!”
The world freestyle football champion may be onto a trick that you can carry on long after the holy month is over.
You see, whilst there has always been a debate about how much activity is necessary in a single day, most health professionals agree that working out twice a day can be more beneficial than just getting up and moving once.
“Two-a-day workouts can be especially useful, and if used wisely, might lead to safer, more effective training,” says John Mandrola, a US-based doctor, who specialises in treating heart rhythm disorders. Basically, exercising for 30 minutes twice daily allows those with busy schedules to enjoy more flexibility, plus encourage beginners to not take on too much too soon. And at the end of the day, those two 30-minute sessions equal an hour a day, so result!
For Garnier, 34, his profession revolves around freestyle football. In fact, the athlete – who is based between Dubai and Paris – is one of the most globally recognised football freestylers in the world. But even a sportsman of his experience can face difficulties.
“During Ramadan, it's really hard to work out as much as you would normally, but you know, when you do a session it’s a really good test [of your stamina], and it is [effective] training because you want to push your limit the further.”
If you decide to adopt the ‘twice daily’ approach, then be sure to enjoy plenty of sleep, fuel up properly and switch up the areas that you’re training. Perhaps go for a light jog for one session and then do some stretching in the evening?
Garnier agrees that the holy month is the right time to create good habits.
“I think Ramadan is a good time to set up your priorities in life, find new inspiration, and also get closer to your family,” he says. “Sometimes you can do many activities, but the most important ones are maybe near you.”