Should I work out if I'm sick?

emjam99 · January 2017

Usually I try to do 4 days where I run each week, I take a walk another day and then do yoga and then have a rest day. Unfortunately, I haven't been feeling good this week and it's worse today. I ran Monday, but yesterday I had to walk instead and today I wanted to run but I'm still not feeling great. I took off my morning class and I'll just be going to my afternoon classes. I don't want to make excuses for myself like I used to and skip work outs and baby myself. I don't know if I should still work out. I've got runny nose, sore throat (losing my voice), kind of weak and run down, congestion, and at times I'm a little dizzy. I don't have a fever, so should I work out?

Joanna2012B · January 2017

I am not going to tell to workout or not. I am going to tell you to listen to your body and that it's ok to take some time off to get well. You won't lose progress if you take a few days off. I hope you feel better soon!!

Reaverie · January 2017

If you over do it you can make yourself sicker and be out longer. Then where will you be? Just make up for any days missed if you feel that guilty. Add 5-10 minutes to other days or use a rest day as a substitute day.

Katimira · January 2017

I google this question every time I come down with a cold. My understanding is: If you're feeling fatigue, rest. One day of rest isn't going to throw off your gains thus far. The dizziness suggest your ears might be infected and that's another one where rest is highly recommended.

Take the day. It will help you feel better. And then you can get back to your regular routine feeling strong.

So to bed with you, guilt free.

HM2206 · January 2017

I've heard the rule is that it's okay to work out with symptoms that are over the neck.

Personally I wouldn't work out when dizzy. I did a few rounds this winter while I was getting a cold and it definitely took longer to get better

girlinahat · January 2017

I wouldn't workout when dizzy. but also, I'd question whether you should be going to classes and spreading your illness amongst others?

CMNVA · January 2017

If you don't feel well, then no. Your immune system is fighting something and intense exercise temporarily strains the immune system. If you have symptoms of a cold yet are feeling fine, then yes, go ahead.

RachelElser · January 2017

I would say no. I would also say not to go to a class! No one else wants to catch what you have!

steplaj · January 2017

It's been two weeks since I was last at the gym. I started with strep for which I was put on antibiotic. That kept me out two days. Then it moved into my lungs and stayed there. Can't breathe, constant cough, wheezing, chest congestion - this has kept me out. Just started to get that knocked down then started having chest pain. Chest x-ray done, I now have a pleural effusion. Back on antibiotic. Painful harsh cough. Short of breath. Can't walk up a flight of stairs without being winded and going into a coughing spell... Can't wait for this to be over and get back into the gym...

But to answer your question, I would say no - for me right now, going would just be a waste of time. I wouldn't be able to complete a workout.

Get yourself better first. I also agree with the post above, you don't want to share with everyone else at the gym. Plus your immune system is already weakened and you could wind up making the illness last longer.

Sabine_Stroehm · January 2017

You decide if you feel well enough to work out.

But PLEASE don't go to a class or a gym if you are contagious.
No need to give it to others.

Hope you recover quickly.

jdhcm2006 · January 2017

I personally wouldn't workout while dizzy. That's just asking for disaster. Also, don't go to the gym/class if you are contagious. You're feeling run down, which is your body's way of saying it needs rest. If you must workout, stay home and do a yoga video online, Yoga With Adriene on Youtube is a good channel. I think she may even have a video for yoga when you're sick.

I skipped my Monday workout b/c I was sick. Stayed in bed all day. Didn't feel an ounce of guilt. I normally would have moved that workout to Tuesday but now I sit with my nephew while my sister runs errands in the evening, and I wasn't going to cancel on baby snuggles and a little sister time to go to the gym. My first day of working out this week will be today. I'm not concerned about my progress. Especially since missing those 2 days helped my shoulder recover from whatever was pissing it off on Monday.

Sometimes you have to skip out on the gym to continue to make it to your goal. You will not lose all of that progress due to missing one or two days.

rkvetmed · January 2017

I wouldn't. Your immune system is already working overtime to fight whatever it is making you sick. Rest is so important when you aren't feeling well and pushing your body will, at the very least, prolong the process of getting well or it could make the illness worse as your body fails to keep up with all the demands.

Plus, we should all try not to go anyplace that isn't 100% necessary when we are not well. If you don't have to expose someone else to an illness then you shouldn't. If more people thought like that then you probably wouldn't be sick right now! Someone gave you their germs when it probably could have been avoided.

I hope you feel better soon and remember that you'll feel better sooner if you rest up!

cwolfman13 · January 2017

When you're sick, your body needs rest to get over whatever it is...exercising is just going to provide for greater stress on the body and hinder you from getting better. You need to be flexible with your exercise and realize that it's not always a good idea...plus, going to the gym and spreading your crud around is not cool...

Should I work out if I'm sick?

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