Should I workout with a cold? HELP ASAP

sugamonstaa
sugamonstaa Posts: 88 Member
in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
Woke up with scratchy throat, sneezing, and fatigue. I feel sleepy like I wanna just go home and wrap myself in a blanket, the cold weather isn't helping either!!

I want to go to the gym but I feel like I probably won't do as well...I'm currently "building" muscle by eating more and lifting a heavier each time. Today is leg day too which is brutal...

I'm afraid if I skip one day I'll delay my progress and go backwards, one day won't hurt right??

Replies

  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    Nothing wrong with giving your body a break. Of course one day will not hurt you.

    If you feel the need to have to do something, go for a walk, or do some yoga!

    Even better: take a bath and drink a big mug of tea!
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    rest and don't spread the cold around at the gym.....one day won't kill ya.
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  • sugamonstaa
    sugamonstaa Posts: 88 Member
    Thanks, I was hoping you guys would say that lol. Now I can feel less guilty ;)
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
    Nope. Let your body rest and recover. And echoing above; don't go to the gym if you know you are sick. It's not fair to potentially infect others with your cold.
  • sugamonstaa
    sugamonstaa Posts: 88 Member
    I took a few days off. Glad I did but feel guilty. I just stayed home, drank lots of tea, soups, and tested. I felt my body aching and sleepy... I think if I were to work out it wouldn't be worth it cuz I wouldn't be motivated.
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  • TheRealTacoPrince
    TheRealTacoPrince Posts: 1
    I really think it depends on how you feel if you have the energy to go to the gym you can go right ahead and do so, sometimes I feel pumped and that's when you would to weight training but when your not feeling it then you shouldn't cause you can't. It really depends on how you feel bro.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    yes, go do something mild.
  • raelynnsmama52512
    raelynnsmama52512 Posts: 1,184 Member
    Jesus_Shaves wrote: »
    Don't go to the gym and spread your ebola everywhere. Seriously, stay home and rest.
    You, I like you. Haha.

    Seriously, OP, rest as much as you can. A day or two won't hurt. I've got bronchitis and I don't even want to think about a workout right now! Here's hoping we both feel better soon!
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    No, do not work out when sick. Rest, take vitamins, drink fluids. You will heal faster if you don't force yourself.
  • GBRhusker
    GBRhusker Posts: 32 Member
    The only place more likely than the gym to spread disease and certain death to innocent victims is Dallas Presbyterian Hospital. Why you would even consider this is beyond me. Go to the park, or your living room or basement.....don't go to the gym.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I think you need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture in general if you really think missing one little workout is going to have any kind of substantial effect on your overall fitness, health, and well being.

    Also, I hate when people show up to the gym spreading their nastiness around...it's incredibly inconsiderate and frankly, it's disgusting.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    edited October 2014
    I'm currently recovering from a cold myself. It started late Sunday night (the 12th). I took off the entire week last week because I was worn out and did not want to spread it around. I did not run, I did not go to the gym. I ran an easy 5K on Monday (the 20th) and 4.3 miles on Wednesday and, other than a little more coughing, there were no ill effects from the time off. Your body doesn't start to lose endurance for about 10 days of inactivity.

    Even if you went to the gym you wouldn't be able to lift as much as you were before you got sick; you're congested and tired. Trying to lift in that condition isn't going to benefit you and it's really inconsiderate to those who use the equipment after you. In the big scheme of things, is a one week break from your lifting going to hurt anything? I can't imagine you have some set date with a lifting goal. You'll start improving again soon enough. My lifting on Tuesday wasn't up to par with the week before I got sick but I know I'll get back there quickly once I've fully recovered.
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    Call it a rest day and rearrange your lifting schedule if it really bothers you that much. Please don't go to the gym if you're sick. It's incredibly disgusting for everyone else.
  • Cobourg
    Cobourg Posts: 54 Member
    you can technically exercise with a cold unless it is in your chest. If its only in your sinus you can work out but if you don't feel like it don't do it. Listen to your body it really does know best.
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  • MyaPapaya75
    MyaPapaya75 Posts: 3,143 Member
    I wouldn't go t the gym for fear of passing it to others its just common courtesy...however ive been sick for the past week and worked out daily walking about 3miles outside..
  • enterdanger
    enterdanger Posts: 2,447 Member
    edited October 2014
    I actually feel like working out with a cold helps me to get over it faster. My rule of thumb is head cold, yes workout. chest cold no workout. As long as the cold stays above the neck I'm good.

    Oh, and that being said workout at home or something. It is gross to see drippy noses at the gym
  • curwent
    curwent Posts: 1
    Working out will put too much strain on your heart. Your body is fighting the illness, you should be kind and give it a break.
  • ElectroJay
    ElectroJay Posts: 44 Member
    There is no point in lifting if you aren't feeling it. Better to recover first.
  • DenDweller
    DenDweller Posts: 1,438 Member
    Are you typing on a keyboard right now that others might use? Please report right now (with your keyboard) to the local municipal incinerator for decontamination. All the cool germaphobes demand it.
  • wilsoncl6
    wilsoncl6 Posts: 1,280 Member
    Do not go to the gym when you're sick! That's a recipe for passing your germs to everyone else. However, you can still work out if you feel up to it but you should give your body some time to work on fighting your illness. Although your body is very good at multitasking, your recovery from sickness will be that much faster if you feed it and allow it to focus its energies on that. If you wanted to do legs still, there is nothing that you do at the gym that you can't at home. Grab a backpack (a strong one with strong straps) and place whatever weight you can find in it to achieve the required weight capacity. Do your lunges and squats in an environment that lowers the risk of infection to others.
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  • musclemindca
    musclemindca Posts: 8
    edited October 2014
    The old 'rule' is "Above the neck workout (head cold) below the neck stay home (Flu, aches and pains, fever). If you wipe down your equipment and use hand sanitizer (like we all should) your fine to workout. Never feel guilty for taking a day or two off the gym. A healthy attitude is most important.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    ElectroJay wrote: »
    There is no point in lifting if you aren't feeling it. Better to recover first.

    I call BS.

    I don't feel it about 3/4 of the time I'm headed there. Success doesn't come from only lifting when you're feeling it- it comes from when you aren't feeling it- when you are under the weather- when you have no inspiration or motivation.

    Nut up and go to the gym.

    If you are puking- stay at home.
    If you have the runs- stay at home.
    If you have lung gunk- stay at home.

    If you have the sniffles- please- get up and go get it in. sanitize- and don't spread germs- but a little under the weather funk shouldn't' keep you from the gym.

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