A pro-al-Qaeda magazine has published workout tips for terrorists planning jihad in Middle Eastern countries such as Afghanistan. The advice, outlined in the English language online publication Jihad Recollections, stresses the importance of keeping fit so its readers can "strike hard" against their enemies. Photographs of robed men performing various squats and sit-ups are included in the article, while the use of weights is warned against because of their scarceness on the front line.
The US-based magazine, which also features an article supposedly written by Osama Bin Laden, advises its extremist audience to stay away from western gyms such as LA Fitness because of its "music, semi-naked women, free mixing and the danger of showing off".
Jihadists are told to build up their arm strength by walking on their hands and doing 150 press-ups a day. Diet recommendations include dates, dry crackers and water while protein shakes are a big no-no. "Contrary to what many people believe, you really only need about 32 grams of protein so don't waste your money on expensive protein milkshakes," the author says.
Despite contrary advice from western fitness instructors, the author says it is "un-Islamic" to eat simply to gain weight and claims that he gained the most muscle while fasting.
