We asked experts whether intermittent fasting is compatible with the gym and here’s what they had to say:
You’ve probably heard the old adage that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. However, as more and more people try to hack their biology and control their weight, intermittent fasting has skyrocketed in popularity. This lifestyle choice has seen breakfast fall out of favour, with many people opting to skip the meal altogether and fast right through until lunch.
For some, the process of fasting provides better mental clarity and focus, improved metabolism and a more effective way to manage weight. However, how well intermittent fasting will work for you totally depends on your lifestyle, your physiology and your stress levels. When you add exercise and high strain into the mix, this is where things can become complex.
According to Dr Stacy Sims, a biohacking expert and nutritional science researcher, “Intermittent fasting is useful. This is particularly true for the general population who are not very active and struggling with metabolic diseases.” However, Sims explains that “you do not garner any additional benefits from layering intermittent fasting on top of exercising. So if you’re already exercising, it’s not particularly helpful. And if you’re a woman who is adding athletics on top of intermittent fasting, it can be harmful to both your performance and your health.”
