To lift or not to lift? When you have a cold..

Heatherybit
Heatherybit Posts: 91 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm running a mild fever today, 99.2 degrees and feeling under the weather. Today is my strength training day and I feel overall fatigue and bit of soreness throughout. I have looked on the internet and read various responses about exercise and the cold/flu. With cardio, I push through as long as I can breath, but with free weight lifting (since I'm new to it) wanted to get some real world advice from people who don't just read books and write studies, but actually "DO" it.

Do you lift when you are down? Does it help or hurt?

Replies

  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    With something mild, I probably would but lighter. With a fever, I probably would not. Your body needs to put its resources into fighting the cold rather than repairing your muscles. Sleep and recovery is more important.
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    Just get some rest. Presumably you are working out long term for long term benefits so missing a few days because you are ill is not going to derail you. Just make sure you come back to it when you feel better.
  • BigT555
    BigT555 Posts: 2,067 Member
    depends on the severity. I would say go, if you feel you can perform your workout in a safe manner then theres no reason you cant go the the gym :)

    alternatively if your feeling really drained then you might just end up tiring yourself out, and after all it is only one day, why not try for tomorrow instead?
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    If you're working out at home, sure, go ahead.

    If you're at a gym, please don't spread your germs and make others sick as well.
  • Heatherybit
    Heatherybit Posts: 91 Member
    If you're working out at home, sure, go ahead.

    If you're at a gym, please don't spread your germs and make others sick as well.

    Definitely at home. Would not even dream about spreading this illness to anyone. It feels like the pits.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    The general rule is that if you have a fever, you should not exercise.
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    Take a day, get some rest, hit it hard tomorrow.
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    Yeah, if you have a fever, it's probably best to just stay at home. Your body needs to rest.
  • ottermotorcycle
    ottermotorcycle Posts: 654 Member
    I lifted when I had a cold recently, but I didn't have a fever. I read that if your sickness is in your neck of above, it's okay to work out, but to avoid working out when you are sick in your chest or stomach. That makes sense to me.

    The fever does change things, but I imagine it's okay to lift if you're not /feeling/ feverish and you should definitely stop if you feel lightheaded.

Categories