Donating Blood and Lifting

They usually tell me "no heavy lifting for the next 24 hours" and consider heavy anything more than 5 lbs in the arm you donated with. I normally end up taking the day off working out when I donate.

They usually tell me "no heavy lifting for the next 24 hours" and consider heavy anything more than 5 lbs in the arm you donated with. I normally end up taking the day off working out when I donate.

^^^ This!
About cardio, if you feel up to it, take a light walk, but I wouldn't do more than that. I have also seen multiple places that you should increase your calories by 300-500 on the day you give blood to help your body replenish and of course drink TONS of fluids. Thanks for donating, you are helping save lives!

If you do lift or do cardio, just pay attention to your body. When you donate blood you reduce your body's blood supply by somewhere around 1/6th. Since blood is what carries oxygen throughout your body, and you will be working out with less of it, don't be surprised if you feel pretty light headed while you're working out. If that's the case, sit down for a minute, catch your breath.

It'll probably be harder to catch your breath in general, since the oxygen your body can move around will be lower...

I'd rather just relax, take the day off, be happy that I helped save someone's life, and get back to the gym the next day.

I worked out about 3-4 hours afterwards and I was fine. Not sure about cardio, I'm a bleeder....lol, so I wouldn't chance sprouting a leak....hahaha

I just finished and talked to the phlebotomist about exercising. She didn't seem very enthusiastic about it, even a walk. She told me to take it easy and not do too much.

Gave blood on a Thursday last month and my "regular" lifting night was the following evening. Went to do my usual routine, and felt very yucky, a bit lightheaded, and generally not good at all. (I drink a minimum of a half gallon of water a day, so I was not dehydrated.) I cut off the last set of my lifting for that night, and that was 23.5 hours AFTER giving blood. I was able to complete 3 of my 4 sets, but by the end of the 3rd set I really had to sit down.

So, short answer, I would really not recommend lifting the night of giving blood, based on my own experience.

I have never had a problem with brisk walking after giving blood, so perhaps you could do some light cardio such as brisk walking, or nordic walking, or elliptical, etc?

I always give every 8 weeks, its the only way to get rid of iron in your body! I workout 2x daily 6 days a week with a lifting session in the AM and cardio in the evening and I always skip the lifting on the day I give blood. By evening I am ready to hit the bike, never had an issue.GO for it!

I donated blood today. I did my exercise and workout before donating blood. I will probably take it easy tomorrow. I'll see how it goes with my lifting and exercise. I also have been drinking lots of water today. I think I'm close to 2 gallons for today. I think donating blood is a very altruistic act. It took me about an hour to save a life. Plus, I get to eat cookies without feeling guilty about the calories.