- Shabbat and Holidays
- Games and Athletics
Exercise on Shabbat
Question
I have a question regarding exercising on Shabbat. I was wondering if I am allowed to attend a gym class on Shabbat? I wouldn’t be using any of the machines, I would just simply be doing some cardiovascular exercises.
Answer
It is forbidden to exercise on Shabbat (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayyim 328 42) other than the exercise one gets by doing what people do even when they are not specifically exercising- like walking, climbing stairs etc. (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayyim 301 2; Mishna Berura 301 5-7). You can, therefore, take a long walk on shabbat for the cardio-vascular benefit, since there are those who walk for other than medicinal/health reasons.
The prohibition against exercise on shabbat is included in a general prohibition against taking medicines on Shabbat when a person's illness (even one that is not life-threatening) does not require taking them.
In addition, one should refrain on Shabbat from sport activity inappropriate to the spiritual atmosphere of Shabbat. A casual game of ping-pong or shooting a few hoops (where there is an eruv) is permissible; a full game of basketball would not be.

Exercise on Shabbat (follow up)
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 27 Tevet 5766

Sports on Shabbat
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Adar 28, 5780

Skiing on Shabbat
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 9 Kislev 5765

ice skating
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | Adar 16, 5769

Rabbi Jonathan Blass
Rabbi of Neve Tzuf and Rosh Kollel "Ratzon Yehuda".

Tzitzit for women
23 Tishrei 5763

A Rabbi for Hashkafa
23 Tishrei 5763

End of Shabbat
5 Cheshvan 5763

Yizkor for a Ger
23 Tishrei 5763

When does the Jewish day begin?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 10, 5775

Selling chametz online
Rabbi David Sperling | Adar 22, 5773
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770

Shaitels for non-married women
Rabbi David Sperling | Tammuz 29, 5779

Chametz that will arrive on Pesach
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nisan 7, 5783
