Exercise while sick ?

lkarkosky8024 · February 2020

This might be a silly question but is it okay to workout when you are ill? Like fever and body aches ill? I do feel very bad but not bad enough to where I can’t work out but I do not want to skip a day I’ve been doing so well...Anyone else here who just sucks it up and pushes through it? What is your experience with it? (Obviously I’m talking home workout not gym I wouldn’t bring my germs in there intentionally)

bighoopattitude · February 2020

I always push through it. If I don’t I get sicker. I would play soccer in sweat pants and a long shirt and sweat it all out. I’d be exhausted, but I always felt better. The one time I went easy I got strep so I’m convinced exercising helps.

jeagogo · February 2020

Just don't go workout at a gym where you'll spread your germs to everyone please. But walking, at-home workouts, etc. should be fine if you have the energy for it. I've never noticed exercise causing illness to last longer for myself, at least. I often feel worse if I have to take a break for a week and then try to come back to working out.

janejellyroll · February 2020

My personal rule of thumb: I'll work out if I've got cold symptoms or am just feeling a little under the weather. If I have a fever or significant body aches, I'll skip the workout until I've recovered. When you're truly ill, your body needs that energy to recover.

cwolfman13 · February 2020

lkarkosky8024 wrote: »

This might be a silly question but is it okay to workout when you are ill? Like fever and body aches ill? I do feel very bad but not bad enough to where I can’t work out but I do not want to skip a day I’ve been doing so well...Anyone else here who just sucks it up and pushes through it? What is your experience with it? (Obviously I’m talking home workout not gym I wouldn’t bring my germs in there intentionally)

Use some common sense...

If you're ill with fever, etc your body is trying to fight something off. All you're doing with exercising is further taxing your body and you're more likely than not to prolong the illness and/or make it worse. Use some common sense. Rest days are important anyway...you don't have to train everyday to be healthy and fit.

J72FIT · February 2020

IMO, rest...

Jthanmyfitnesspal · February 2020

Yes. Until you can't. Then don't.

I just lost a week and a half to a bad cold. If you can't get out of bed, then you probably can't work out.

Chieflrg · February 2020

Yep perfectly reasonable. Especially in cases where you have auto regulation instilled within your programming. If not perhaps a washout or even a deload that is based on your goals might be useful.

If it we are talking a fever of 102 higher(random number for myself), I might consider rescheduling my days.

ActionRZ · February 2020

I’d recommend rest and plenty of liquids if you have body aches and fever. Give your body time to heal.

Duck_Puddle · February 2020

You have a fever - which is a sign your body is already fighting something. You feel badly (another sign your body is fighting something).

Why would you divert what little energy you have away from fighting whatever is making you feel this way?

What do you hope for this workout to accomplish? Do you expect to get stronger/more aerobic endurance when you are already weakened due to your body using resources to fight illness?

If you had sniffles, allergies, maybe just feeling off and not your best, minor stomach bug, etc-go ahead (in your own home-not where you’re spreading your germs to others who don’t want them).

But fever/aches/chills/etc? No. Rest.

cupcakesandproteinshakes · March 2020

I reschedule if I feel really rough but otherwise just scale down the effort.

flynntrader · March 2020

At this time when a virus outbreak anxiety is so high, do not go to the gym and infect other people.

Duck_Puddle · March 2020

flynntrader wrote: »

At this time when a virus outbreak anxiety is so high, do not go to the gym and infect other people.

Sort of like washing hands, this should be a given whether or not there’s a fancy virus in town. Nobody wants your germs ever. Why should someone else have to spend a week or more hacking or fighting off whatever bug you have?

I’m using “you” and “your” in generic terms (not in reply to a specific person).

Chieflrg · March 2020

flynntrader wrote: »

At this time when a virus outbreak anxiety is so high, do not go to the gym and infect other people.

OP states specifically a home gym.

CoreyLust · March 2020

If the effects are above your chin, i.e. running nose etc. Go for it. Below the chin. Sore throat, chest congestion, aching muscles etc. Then don't.

lkarkosky8024 · March 2020

Thankyou for everyone who replied! I apologize for the late update,I had strep in the end so I was down for the count for a couple days! Now I’m ready to get back to it! In the end,the first day I got sick I did a light workout at home and in my opinion it did not make the illness last longer but I definitely felt worse than I did before so next time I will take the advice on here and rest completely.

Exercise while sick ?

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