Working out when sick

plateaued

Exercise strengthens your immune system. Does that mean it's OK, or even beneficial, to work out when you have a cold, an earache or other minor illnesses? What do you do?

micheleb15

If it's a light head cold, I may try something. If it's below the neck, I dont do anything. Also, don't go to the gym if you're sick. Stay home and do something.

mk_hammer

What micheleb said! If it's above the neck, yes; below the neck, no. Also no if you're running fever.

If you do work out when sick, it's always a good idea to lower the intensity of your workout.

LoosingMyLast15

having just recovered from being sick all last week (sorta think i had the flu), stay home and rest. i tried to workout and it did not turn out well. i just made myself worse - went from being exhausted to barely being able to drive myself home from work because i overexerted myself.

seena511

What micheleb said! If it's above the neck, yes; below the neck, no. Also no if you're running fever.

this

dakotababy

for the first time, I did one of my leslie sansone dvds while i was sick with a cold. BEST TEMPORARY CURE EVER! my nose unplugged, my lungs mucus loosened, my sinus was clear, headache went away...for about an hour or so. Just do gentle exercise.

KenosFeoh

Exercise may strength your immunity over time, but it seems to work the other way, too. It seems that every time I start to work out, some illness kicks me back to the rest and recover stage. I have a couple of chronic issues that go into remission, then flare, and exercise will often bring on a flare. Or I'll get whatever crud is going around. I've tried working out hard; I've tried taking it easy at first. It's frustrating!