Exercise with a cold

cheri0627
cheri0627 Posts: 369 Member
edited September 28 in Fitness and Exercise
What's everyone's opinion on exercising with a cold? I've picked up a head cold from my wonderful husband. On top of my allergies, I feel like my head is full of cobwebs and not much else. I also have bootcamp class tonight. I did go on Monday while quite congested, but my head wasn't this stuffy.

Replies

  • beccalucy
    beccalucy Posts: 250 Member
    It's personal preference however I often find exercise helps to move the congestion, I often run to help get rid of a cold.

    Don't forget to take lots of tissues and fluids!
  • Melis25Fit
    Melis25Fit Posts: 811 Member
    I have before. If your breathing is still ok during, I say keep it up. Maybe just at a slower pace.
    If you're totally congested, dizzy, fever- then of course you better rest.

    A 20 min walk should be fine tho.
  • crysmiss86
    crysmiss86 Posts: 67 Member
    When I was sick last month, I googled that same question. And all the sites said that as long as your just doing your normal, you should be fine, just don't push yourself way past your limit because that could make the cold last longer. Make sure to drink plenty of water.
  • orting514
    orting514 Posts: 153
    I know exactly how you feel, i caught a cold from my daughter, who wants to exercise!!??
  • pixieval
    pixieval Posts: 64 Member
    As far as feeling like it, I don't! lol, but as far as health wise, my doctor told me if its just in the head area(cold, headache, sore throat) that it was safe for me to work out. If its all over or below the head(fever, vomiting, coughing that shakes your whole body) take a rest instead.
  • TurtleCrush
    TurtleCrush Posts: 80
    Be careful and don't over do it. My aunt was sick last month and kept pushing normally and ended up in the hospital with pneumonia and all she started with was just a head cold.
  • tgh1914
    tgh1914 Posts: 1,036 Member
    I really believe it largely depends on the timing, on the state of your cold. During the initial onset & when your symptoms are at their worst your body is needing every bit of energy it can to fight off the cold. I would definitely get as much rest (& fluids & Vitamin C) as possible during this time. But once the real dizziness & achiness (sp?) is past, but you may still have lingering congestion or coughing, exercise can actually help flush the system a little. But I say don't overdo it too soon or it will just prolong the illness anyways. Take care.
  • stefraab
    stefraab Posts: 402 Member
    I def find that if I can drum up the energy I always always feel better afterward. I think keeping up the exercise helps your body recover.
  • cheri0627
    cheri0627 Posts: 369 Member
    Thanks, everyone.

    I decided not to go as my head is so stuffed that when I move too fast it throws me completely off. I can't imagine doing pushups or situps or burpees or box jumps or just about anything feeling like this. I'm worried that I would lose my balance or something.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories