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Should you exercise when you're sick?

Howard_M_Burgerz
Howard_M_Burgerz Posts: 61 Member
in Debate Club
Do you workout even though you're sick or do you go lighter or stop until you feel better?
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Replies

  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    depends.
    somedays i do somedays i don't
    some illness i do, some illness i don't

    also, how long have been sick because i get squirrely after awhile
  • HoneyBadger302
    HoneyBadger302 Posts: 2,069 Member
    Depends on the sickness and the level of sickness.

    I will avoid going to the gym, however, as I don't appreciate it when others share their sick, so I don't want to be that person, either.

    Otherwise, if I'm feeling up to it, yes, I will workout. If I don't or I'm just wiped out, I don't and get some extra rest.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    Yep as others have said already, depends on how sick - if it's a cold I'd still workout but if something worse then rest and recover.
  • Momepro
    Momepro Posts: 1,509 Member
    How exhausted am I? Honestly that's my main criteria. If I try to push through when I feel wiped, I just end up worse, so I take that as a sign I need the extra rest.
  • Howard_M_Burgerz
    Howard_M_Burgerz Posts: 61 Member
    Thanx to everyone that has responded so far. Getting a feel for the trend line. I didn't want to muddy the waters with stipulations. I'm seeing exactly what I was hoping for. I'll leave it up and see if others wade in. Thanx again everyone.
  • alexa0ne
    alexa0ne Posts: 90 Member
    I don't it is good for your health to do a workout when you're sick. For me, I will wait until I feel better before going back to doing cardio exercise.
  • rikkejohnsenrij
    rikkejohnsenrij Posts: 510 Member
    If you're contagious, dont go to the gym, thats just rude to other people. Except for that I think it depends on the illness. If you feel like you can exercise (without taking pills before hand) I dont see why not. My colds/headaches often get better if I go for a walk even if I cannot do lifting or running
  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,301 Member
    As with all things, its a case of, listen to your body. Then know when you are thinking of making excuses too. I whole heartedly agree with the coment, don't share contagions, please keep something like that to yourself because there may be others about for whom your mild contagion may be something much more serious.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    edited September 2018
    Depends on the sickness. If it's just a head cold then yes. I had a chest thing a while back and I did my strength workouts but I didn't run. Anything like a fever or stomach bug that makes me feel run-down, umm no way, I'm not doing anything.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    Above the neck, I'll go out and ride anyway. In my lungs, it's rest days until I'm over it.

    This sums it up nicely. Similar to the difference between sore and pain. Soreness is a wonderful feeling of building and growing. Pain is your body telling you to stop, rest, and heal up.

    There is no point to training while sick and you often end up doing more harm than good.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I think it depends on the sickness and the exercise.
    Generally I think rest and listening to your body during an illness is more important than exercise. If you feel up to taking a short walk or something mild that is probably fine. Pushing yourself to do a HIIT workout or run until you pass out is probably too much. If you are contagious then you should stay out of the shared gym until you are not.
  • zcb94
    zcb94 Posts: 3,678 Member
    If I recall correctly (sadly I can’t grab a source), the quote is “Above the chest, stop and rest,” especially for a fever. (Actually, the cutoff is your neck, but “chest” allows for a better rhyme). General aches, either be gentle or press on depending on pain level. Either way, don’t do a workout requiring being in public if you think you’re contagious.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Depends on the sick...if it's just a little case of the sniffles, no biggie...but I rarely get that. I'm well most of the time and when I get sick it tends to be pretty bad so I typically rest and recover as to not prolong the illness.
  • Liana_Ish
    Liana_Ish Posts: 671 Member
    I’m currently sick so I have avoided the gym this whole week 😌 Can’t wait to get back
  • ExistingFish
    ExistingFish Posts: 1,259 Member
    If I have a head cold, I usually go on about as usual. I have kids, life doesn't stop for sniffles/runny nose.

    If there is fever or vomiting, no.

    Anything else, it just depends on how I feel. If I'm feeling particularly crappy for no known reason (getting sick? allergies? recovered but not 100%?) I might do some LISS for recovery and continuing to be active and then resume lifting a few days later.
  • urloved33
    urloved33 Posts: 3,323 Member
    I do unless its a debilitating illness - intestinal issues are tough to work through but mostly a GOOD WORK OUT makes me feel better so...yes.
  • Sunshine_And_Sand
    Sunshine_And_Sand Posts: 1,320 Member
    I typically go with the above the neck, go ahead and exercise rule, unless I have a fever. I will however avoid the gym, even if all symptoms are above the neck, if I have a runny nose or cough bc even though I clean my spin bike after use, I don't wanna be the one dripping green snot all over the gym equipment.
    I may walk or do yoga at home on those days if I feel well enough to.
  • Xerogs
    Xerogs Posts: 328 Member
    It depends, like others have said. Typically if its just bad allergies or a head cold I might scale back my workout just so it doesn't turn into something worse like a full blown sinus infection. Any kind of flu or stomach flu symptoms I don't work out and just worry about getting better and staying hydrated. You need to listen to your body though, overdoing it can make things worse especially the older you get. In my opinion, if my body is in heal mode it tends to burn through calories more than I think.
  • Charlene____
    Charlene____ Posts: 110 Member
    I had a cold the end of May. Didn't take it easy, kept up with training, and ran a 5K (actually PBed it) and found myself with bronchitis for two weeks after. Lesson learned. Skip a few days even with a cold to get better.
  • timpleberry
    timpleberry Posts: 11 Member
    Of you are ill, your body will be working hard to restore health. If you use available resources to exercise, you risk prolonging g your illness, or making it worse.
  • MikePTY
    MikePTY Posts: 3,814 Member
    it really depends. If you have a fever, you shouldnt exercise. It could make things worse, because you'll raise your body temperature. When I had a bad case of strep recently, I took over a week off. But if it's just a minor head cold, or general crumminess, you might feel better after you work out.
  • Mr_Healthy_Habits
    Mr_Healthy_Habits Posts: 12,588 Member
    I wouldn't exercise if you have body aches... Asking for strains and pulls
  • lowcarbmale
    lowcarbmale Posts: 145 Member
    edited October 2018
    I usually take it easy when I have a cold.
    If you're unlucky you could get Myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation). That can be fatal. Not worth it in my opinion.

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