An al-Qaeda-supporting magazine has published workout tips for extremists planning jihad in countries such as Afghanistan.
An al-Qaeda-supporting magazine has published workout tips for extremists planning jihad in countries such as Afghanistan. See and learn: The magazine, Jihad Recollections, has also published photographs illustrating their workout tips
The advice is contained in Jihad Recollections, an English language online magazine believed to be published in the US, which openly supports al-Qaeda and contains an article purporting to be written by Osama bin Laden.
Complete with photographs of men in white robes with scarves covering their faces performing a variety of squats and sit-ups, it advises supporters to keep in shape so that they can "strike hard" against their enemies.
No gyms
There is also a warning against visiting "un-Islamic" western gyms with their "music, semi-naked women, free mixing and the danger of showing off".
And there is advice against using weights because of their unavailability on the front line in places such as Afghanistan.
Jihadists fighting the Americans and the "Nato Crusading Army"u00a0a reference to the international coalition in Afghanistan are advised to take long walks to strengthen their legs for "carrying weapons and other equipment".
In order to build up arm strength, readers are told to do up to 150 press-ups a day and try to walk on their hands.
Diet tips
There are also diet tips, which emphasise eating dates and dry crackers and drinking water, especially during Ramadan.
"Contrary to what many people believe, you really only need about 32 gm of protein, so don't waste your money on expensive protein milkshakes," the writer adds.
He describes it as "un-Islamic" to eat when not hungry simply to add weight, as his western fitness instructors had advised him, and claims he gained most muscle while fasting.
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