Do you work out when you are sick?

WingardiumLeviosa91

Right now I have flu and before that I had ToM, so I feel guilty for skipping gym for 9 days in a row. Do you still exercise when sick?

bwogilvie

If I am mildly or moderately sick only in my head and throat, I exercise, but more gently than normal. It usually helps. If I am sick in my chest or elsewhere, or if I have a terrible head cold or sinus infection, I rest.

Get well soon!

shadow2soul

Congested I do light cardio because it helps me breathe.

Anything else I rest. I didn't workout for most of September because I had bronchitis. It sucked but rest is what I needed then.

Dez11B

No

Willbenchforcupcakes

Flu? Nope. Rest is more important.

fi_b

For the flu? Rest, hydrate, leafy green things! If you try and work through that you may just prolong your illness which is never a great idea.
I hope you get better soon!

kshannon11755

Maybe hit the steam room or sauna, I put a little Vicks under the nose if I am stuffed up.

lemmie177

If all my symptoms are above the neck and I don't have a fever, I'll do a lighter version of my scheduled workout (I workout at home). I always workout during my ToM; I find it helpful.

If its a full-blown flu, you're probably fever-ridden and contagious. Best to rest up and recover for your sake and those at the gym. Some slow-paced walking outdoors can help with congestion once you feel up to it. +hydration

mccindy72

Any time you have a respiratory illness, you must not exercise. It is too taxing on your body to try to provide enough oxygen for you when your respiratory system is compromised, and to ask it to do more is dangerous.

tiptoethruthetulips

I doubt its a genuine flu you have, you wouldn't be here posting otherwise. Probably a bad cold. I will walk if a head cold, but not go to the gym, who wants to be around a snotty person. Anything respiratory I don't do any exercise.

WingardiumLeviosa91

tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »

I doubt its a genuine flu you have, you wouldn't be here posting otherwise. Probably a bad cold. I will walk if a head cold, but not go to the gym, who wants to be around a snotty person. Anything respiratory I don't do any exercise.

Today I almost fainted when I try to make a sandwich. I don't cough, but I sneeze and my nose runs and I have fever, and my head feels like exploding.

valmaebel

Based on the studies I've seen, they say to do the neck check. If it's above the neck, then lighten the workouts but still do them. If it's below, then you need to rest. Also if you have a fever you should not workout either. Both the latter two can lead to more problems if you push your body.

mccindy72

tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »

I doubt its a genuine flu you have, you wouldn't be here posting otherwise. Probably a bad cold. I will walk if a head cold, but not go to the gym, who wants to be around a snotty person. Anything respiratory I don't do any exercise.

I don't think that even influenza will stop you from the ability to use a computer.

scolaris

I have a mild cold. I did less than usual. I expect people to follow the fitness for school rule: no fever, no vomiting, no diarrhea for a COMPLETE 24 HOURS before returning to group life. I hate working out at the gym with disgusting flu sufferers. Keep that *kitten* home please.
When I have something wrong, my preference is to front load rest & good nutrition.

ninerbuff

Nope. Intense exercise can compromise your immune system even more taking you longer to recover from illness.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

cdudley628

ToM to me isn't being "sick." Sure you might not feel well, but exercise usually helps relieve my cramps and take my mind off of being miserable.

tincanonastring

Currently starting my second week of no exercise because of sickness. I'm not going to lift in a weakened state as I either won't get a benefit or I could hurt myself (more concerned with the latter). My chest is still congested, so cardio is out, too. I don't feel guilty for not exercising when my body isn't capable. It's the same reason I wouldn't stick to my exercise routine if I had a broken ankle or a concussion.

ETA: You almost passed out making a sandwich and you're wondering if you should exercise? Just think about that for a second.

hill8570

Wow. Wonder how long until we have a thread on "how many calories do I burn while bleeding out with Ebola on the elliptical?"

OP, for your sake and everyone else's, stay home, rest, and eat enough to let your immune system get some work done. The name of the game is "health and fitness", not "losing weight at all costs". If you've got the flu, you'd be a fool to go back in less than a week, more likely two.

Matt71Fleming

This my second week of no exercise.I had flu and done no exercise for almost a week.I started to feel better so returned to some light walking/jogging.The next day I was flat on my back with no energy feeling terrible again.Take it easy and rest when your ready you'll know it.

ROBOTFOOD

Been several years since I was ill. But na. I'd just chill at home, eat, ps4, Netflix.

Soundwave79

For the Flu no I would rest. Regular colds like I have now yes I still workout. Amazingly I hit a new high on my squats and deads on Sunday with a sore throat, stuffy nose, and sneezing...

nordlead2005

For the flu, do not go to the gym. You are just going to get everyone else sick. In general if you are sick you should avoid the gym and workout at home instead.

As for me, I exercise at home, so I will work out unless I'm really sick. If I feel week, I'd take time off, if I just have a stuffy nose, lift away.

ragenhay1

I had the same question last week but mine is just a cold. I felt it coming on Thursday night. Went to my class Friday morning but it sucked and I could not keep up. I usually take the weekends off and now I have taken Monday and Tuesday off. I will go back when I'm better. No point in prolonging illness for a half energy workout

jessiefrancine

Came down with a really crappy cold over the weekend - terrible sleep, congested, sore throat, lungs feel icky and soooo exhausted. But I had planned to lift on Sunday, and because I think I'm a badass I decided to tough it out and do it anyway. Bad move. I got to the end of my first set of squats and got stuck at the bottom of the last rep. I could not lift myself back up. So there I was, trying to extricate myself from over 100 pounds of metal alone in my basement without injuring myself in the process.

Lesson learned. I'll be resting until I'm better.

AliceDark

If you must, exercise at home or outside. Nobody at the gym wants to share your cold.

gaelicstorm26

If you have the flu you are most likely not capable of exercising. The flu usually comes with fever, aches, and significant URI symptoms. You need rest.

If I have a cold or something I still workout, but I hit the streets for a walk/run rather than hitting the gym.

cwolfman13

when you're sick, rest is kind of important to getting over whatever is ailing you...your body is already working overtime to fix you...why would you go put additional stress on your body when it's already working overtime?

a little common sense goes a long way here...a little case of the sniffles is one thing...but seriously, the flu?

giantrobot_powerlifting

Last time I was sick enough to stay in bed I trained squats that day.

Bad news: I puked 3 times.
Good news: It was a PR.

Fitwarrior7_Round_2

Usually I try to workout to avoid getting sick. But yes, I also workout while sick. I find the sauna especially helpful to try and sweat colds out.

_Bropollo_

Depends on what I am sick with, but if I do I take it easy and deload my lifts and cut my training volume. Goal is just not to backslide too hard but also not make the illness worse.

kuroshii

The rule of thumb I've heard (which I use) is if your symptoms are all "above the neck" then it's OK, but if you have symptoms below the neck i.e. chest congestion or fever then don't do anything strenuous.
Not to mention that if you have a fever you may be contagious so DON'T go to the gym! I know if there was a sneezy person at the machine next to me I'd get upset, I don't want their germs.