Thoughts on exercise when sick

ncrugbyprop

I came down with a wonderful summer cold last Wed and had a nice fever to go along with plugged sinuses and trying to cough up a lung. Going to the gym, or any exercise, really wasn't an option based on how bad I felt and based on some common courtesy of not coughing on everyone else in the gym and the equipment. I'm on the mend and would normally have already charged back into training, but still have some symptoms (sniffles, mild cough) and am questioning whether to go or give it some more time. I've read how exercise boosts your immune system long term (though apparently not enough to overcome the germs of a 6 month old) but that during exercise the immunosuppression that occurs may exacerbate or lengthen the cold. So, I post this question to the MFP gurus, how long would you wait till you started back with full workouts?

bostonwolf

If it was just a cold I'd say man up and carry on. A fever is nothing to mess with and exercise will further raise your body temperature. Best to wait out the fever then do the best you can with the cold. Just my take.

pandabear_

If you still feel bad don't exercise, just wait it out or do something not so exhausting, like taking a walk.

aarar

If its just a cold I always go out, I always feel less crappy and feel less congested afterwards. For a fever though, I agree wth bostonwolf and take it easy.

LoneWolf_70

nut up, put a nasal strip on your nose and get rocking.

bostonwolf

nut up, put a nasal strip on your nose and get rocking.

This works too. Go Pack!

Lofteren

IMO, you can still train if you have a cold. If you are running a major fever, have diarrhea or are vomiting then I would rest and get better though.

You can do cardio and stuff like that when you have diarrhea but don't even think about squatting or deadlifting unless you're wearing a diaper!

mamaleftwich

Personally, if I just have a cold, I will continue to exercise, but if you have a fever, etc...I would try to get that down before I did any type of exercising.

1911JR

I came down with a wonderful summer cold last Wed and had a nice fever to go along with plugged sinuses and trying to cough up a lung. Going to the gym, or any exercise, really wasn't an option based on how bad I felt and based on some common courtesy of not coughing on everyone else in the gym and the equipment. I'm on the mend and would normally have already charged back into training, but still have some symptoms (sniffles, mild cough) and am questioning whether to go or give it some more time. I've read how exercise boosts your immune system long term (though apparently not enough to overcome the germs of a 6 month old) but that during exercise the immunosuppression that occurs may exacerbate or lengthen the cold. So, I post this question to the MFP gurus, how long would you wait till you started back with full workouts?

Like has already been said, no fever = go for it.

But, thanks for being considerate and not going to the gym sick. I would get in a few works at home fist. Push ups, crunches, high knee`s etc.

chriscolh

If I'm running a fever or if my lungs are congested to the point that I feel like I can't get enough breath, I stay home. I tried working out with a lot of lung congestion once - just about passed out. It wasn't pretty... Also, if I can't control my cough, I usually stay home from the gym, but that's more out of consideration of anyone who might be within 8 feet of me who doesn't enjoy being sprayed with my infectious mucous. But otherwise I go. I usually take it a little easier, though, until I feel fully well.

Back in the college days when I thought I was totally invincible, I would work through anything, then get mad when I had colds that lasted for six months. Imagine my surprise when my roommates got fed up and confined me to my room for a weekend (guess they didn't like the constant sniffling roommate), feeding me muffins and orange juice through a crack in the door... and amazingly enough, I felt so much better by Monday! I feel really stupid about it now, but it was really news to me that rest totally works!

I guess my bottom line is listen to your body. If you feel like you can handle it (and are not totally weak and infectious), then go. But if your body is screaming at you to lie down and take a break, maybe you should listen to it. A few days off won't kill you, and may be better for you in the long run.
Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!

ironanimal

I had it for a couple of weeks. Swallowed an anti-histamine every day and packed some tissues. Went to the bathroom to cough up anything needed as appropriate. Still got everything done.

But then, I am an idiot.

cwolfman13

Just a cold I would still exercise...if it were a rather bad cold I would probably dumb my routine down so that I'm still moving but allowing my body some recovery. Fever is a no brainer for me...I'm resting...and stay the frack out of my gym with your fever. Exercise is important...so is taking care of yourself and letting your body recover...if you have a fever your body needs rest and needs that energy to get better...common sense goes a long way here.

DWBalboa

If you can muster it, I’m all for it, just cleanup after yourself so you don’t share the love. Nothing worse (well not much that doesn’t evolve injury or death) than grabbing a bar and it’s all gooey with someone’s mucus. Am I right?

martyqueen52

If it's just sniffles, coughing, sore throat..... get in the gym.

If it's something where you physically feel weak, tired, or are nauseous.... stay home. It's not worth lifting something only to have your body give out and get your **** all snapped up.

rejectuf

Please stay out of the gym if you have a cold, I don't care if it's mild. What is a mild cold for you could be a bad one for the person you give it to. People who go to the gym sick are gross and inconsiderate. If you want to do exercise there are a ton of body weight routines you could do to keep yourself busy at home.

stealthq

By now you're not contagious anymore, and you're done with the worst bit of it. You should be good to go.

As a general rule, stay home within a week of showing symptoms if it's a cold or flu - that's when you may be contagious (plus a day or so before having symptoms, but that can't be helped). Some colds/flus you'd only be contagious for a couple of days, but you have no way to know if you have that strain, or a week-long variety.

fitnessjock

if it keeps being a prob ask a trainer or doc

sabified

While I agree with everyone else on not working out if you have a fever but going for it if it's a cold (unless sinus's are super blocked, I would wait til that phase is over) I also very STRONGLY agree with your inclination towards not going to the gym while you're sick and coughing/spreading mucus over everything.

I would work out at home or maybe go for outdoor runs until 100% better.

I really hate going to the gym and then needing to use a machine someone is sniffling and snorting all over. Those wipes only do so much.

ThatMouse

I think it varies for everyone.

My dad works out as soon as he won't cough a lung up on the treadmill or sneeze all over a machine, and it works for him.

Personally, I have a window of opportunity: if I feel a cold coming on, but I'm still in the scratchy throat phase of things, I can get in a good work out, soak in a hot tub or sauna (not sure if that's a good thing to do, though, contagious-wise. I may be an *kitten*). I find if I do it soon enough, I can often avoid getting worse and I'll be just fine in a few days. Likewise, if I'm at the tail end of being sick, I do like my dad and go as soon as I'm sure I won't faint off a treadmill or get snot all over when I start panting.

But if I try to go to the gym or push it when I'm definitely sick (headache, stuffed up, feeling faint), I get worse and I delay my recovery for a week.

I'd say try things out, but be really mindful. Go slow, try different things out (if cardio doesn't work, what about strength and vice versa) and pay attention to how you feel.

h7463

Please stay out of the gym if you have a cold, I don't care if it's mild. What is a mild cold for you could be a bad one for the person you give it to. People who go to the gym sick are gross and inconsiderate. If you want to do exercise there are a ton of body weight routines you could do to keep yourself busy at home.

Hahaha.... ^this... It's a bit harsh, but I have to second this..... Consider your own safety! There are people in some gyms that have been training hard at least 12 weeks for a competition, usually ill tempered, running low on carbs, and they will throw a dumbbell at you, when you cough in their direction. And I wouldn't blame them a bit. Heavy lifting comes with heavy breathing, and I really wouldn't want to be the target of all those germs....lol

At least make an effort, and bring a big bright box of disinfectant wipes with you AND USE THEM, BEFORE AND AFTER YOU USE BENCHES AND ALL, FOR EVERYBODY TO SEE!

Thank you!!!!!!

rejectuf

I think it varies for everyone.

My dad works out as soon as he won't cough a lung up on the treadmill or sneeze all over a machine, and it works for him.

Personally, I have a window of opportunity: if I feel a cold coming on, but I'm still in the scratchy throat phase of things, I can get in a good work out, soak in a hot tub or sauna (not sure if that's a good thing to do, though, contagious-wise. I may be an *kitten*). I find if I do it soon enough, I can often avoid getting worse and I'll be just fine in a few days. Likewise, if I'm at the tail end of being sick, I do like my dad and go as soon as I'm sure I won't faint off a treadmill or get snot all over when I start panting.

But if I try to go to the gym or push it when I'm definitely sick (headache, stuffed up, feeling faint), I get worse and I delay my recovery for a week.

I'd say try things out, but be really mindful. Go slow, try different things out (if cardio doesn't work, what about strength and vice versa) and pay attention to how you feel.

So you're putting yourself into warm water shared with other people when you think you have an illness?

Stop going to the gym sick. Run outside, do body weight exercises at home and take a hot bath. Stop spreading your germs. Everyone in the gym doing work is in a state where their immune system is being suppressed.

AllOutof_Bubblegum

The rule of thumb I go by is if the infection is at or above the neck, (head cold, sore throat) you're good to keep exercising. Any sickness below the neck (chest cold, stomach bug) you should probably stay home and ride it out.