Working out when sick?

capriqueen
capriqueen Posts: 976 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Is it ok to workout when you have a cough? I've been feeling down lately and my muscles hurt, but Im thinking twice about missing a workout since ive already eaten at maintenance.

Replies

  • kellehbeans
    kellehbeans Posts: 838 Member
    A cough should not hold you back, but if you ache and don't feel so well - don't work out. Allow time for your body to heal you in your own time. Working out will only make it worse. Feel better soon! :flowerforyou:
  • mdubs76
    mdubs76 Posts: 17 Member
    It depends how sick you are. If you have a chest cold, I would say probably not. When I am sick I don't work out to the intensity I normally do. I might walk rather than run, slow it down on the elliptical, etc.. Just try but read your body. If your body is telling you no, don't do it.

    Feel better soon!
  • RoyBeck
    RoyBeck Posts: 947 Member
    Missing one workout won't hurt. Training when feeling sick isn't advisable.
  • sarahertzberger
    sarahertzberger Posts: 534 Member
    really it just depends on how bad you really feel, if it's just a small cough I would work out but if your body is tired and you feel like you need rest then you won't be doing your body any favors, sometimes you do just need rest to let your body recover properly I would just make sure to eat things to help you get better really quickly like fruits with vitamin c, homemade broths and such. Get feeling better soon :-)
  • mcibty
    mcibty Posts: 1,252 Member
    I've got a cold at the moment too. You'll see me panting like a dog, coughing and sweating more than usual, but I'm still there in the gym.

    Of course only you know how bad you feel. Weigh up how you'll feel for not going versus how you'll feel after if you do.

    Give it a go, but don't expect your usual speed!
  • stefjc
    stefjc Posts: 484 Member
    General advice with colds is if it is above the neck carry on training, though you may want to reduce the intensity a little.

    If the cold is below the neck, take time out. You don't want to overly stress the respiratory or immune system, or spread your germs!
  • JusticeGirl25
    JusticeGirl25 Posts: 703 Member
    I never work out when I get sick. Just not worth it.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • elizamac123
    elizamac123 Posts: 11
    chances are you'll find out pretty quickly if you can handle a workout - i have a cold and went for a run today, I knew right away that I would have to significantly shorten my run because I just felt sooo off. I also was sweating like crazy and not in a good way.
  • RedArizona5
    RedArizona5 Posts: 465 Member
    I second the germ spreading. I am getting over a nasty sinus infection and at the beginning of it I went to my apartment gym I felt bad afterwards because the 2 -3 others that were there didn't deserve my germs . So then I just haven't worked out since (Christmas eve). I am thinking about HIIT sessions now because Im sooo desperate to burn off some energy and fat ugh lol. But I know the saying below the neck yada yada LOL
    At one point when I did cough my chest hurt so i WAS CONFUSED about THAT rule as to if it was OK and still am…if anyone wants to take a chance at explaining that to me. I didn't have official under the neck symptoms but maybe my chest was weak as it wasn't the problem like my sinus and stuff just a little pain every time I coughed which was often but not annoying. I believe I had a sinus infection with minor chest pains so thats why I may have been confused a lil… So yeah, stay at home when sick and don't spread sicknesses. I put myself in the shoes of the people that were their that evening and I wished I never went …just my opinion. Try to keep others in mind when out in public ^ ^
  • broox80
    broox80 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I dont workout when I get sick. I dont want to half azzzz it and still feel like crap. Just not worth it to me.
  • svandever101585
    svandever101585 Posts: 188 Member
    I have a sinus infection now and I decided that if I was feeling any better after I got the kids to bed I would workout. I was so I did. I just did not give it as much intensity as I do when I am feeling 100%. I am glad I did because I am actually feeling a little better now then I did before working out. Just listen to your body.
  • karen19711
    karen19711 Posts: 99 Member
    Hate begin sick.........K

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