Exercising when you have a cold?

Demwitted
Demwitted Posts: 163
edited October 5 in Fitness and Exercise
I only get one or two really bad colds a year. They are not even too terrible... just sniffles and coughing usually. I am still pretty functional when I'm sick with a cold.

I decided to take it easy today... maybe just a little yoga and some light cleaning. I am hesitant to go to the gym to share my germs, so any exercising I do right now (cold #2 for the year.. courtesy of my mom) will be at home.

Do others out there still exercise when they have a cold? Or do you focus on resting and getting back up to full speed? If you do exercise with a cold, what sorts of things do you do?

Replies

  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    I had a small cold, and I exercised at the gym anyway. I say it's good as long as your not coughing all over the machine, I don't mind coughing but I'm pretty sure the people there with you mind, haha. But if you're staying at home, drink plenty water and do some strength training with your own body weight. like different variations of squats, situps, pushups, etc. . . put some good music on. oh and if you need a bizarre challenge, look up bodyrock tv workouts on youtube
  • heatherdills
    heatherdills Posts: 53 Member
    Cold, yes. Flu, no.
  • castadiva
    castadiva Posts: 2,016 Member
    Thank you for not spreading your germs by going to the gym :wink: My approach depends on what sort of cold I have, but if it's fairly minor, how about a brisk walk - well wrapped-up of course! A half-hour at a brisk pace burns around 220 cals for me, and the fresh air often helps. Don't push yourself though - your body will be burning more calories than usual trying to fight off the bugs in any case, and make sure you get enough liquids! Hope you feel better soon.
  • KeepOnMoving
    KeepOnMoving Posts: 383 Member
    I had two colds this fall, but zero colds for the whole year of 2010! Not sure why because I been taking Zertec for fall allergies. I think my biggest culprit is a lack of sleep that wore down my immune system.

    The first cold this fall was short with duration because I took Cold-eeze (zinc candy.) My second cold was just a pain in the sinuses. I quit exercising for 2 weeks! :( With an exception of some yoga when my energy started to coming back.

    I guess my advice is the drink liquids hot and cold through out the day and get lots of sleep. I also started taking probiotics again because I read some experts think the good bacteria prevents colds. However, that is not approved statement by FDA.
  • geri1955
    geri1955 Posts: 106
    I walk! If it's only a cold I still get my exercises in, if I'm sick like I was this weekend, I rest ..depends how you feel...as far as not wanting to spread germs that is next to impossible unless you carry a clorox wipe with you everywhere you go! Get yourself a bottle of skin hand sanitizer and use it every 2 hours-it keeps you germ free for about 2 hours! take it to the gym with you and if you really feel badly about spreading germs, get a container of clorox wipes and wipe down the parts of the gym equipment before and use! Good Luck!!! go burn some calories!!!
  • LeanMeanFitnessMachine
    LeanMeanFitnessMachine Posts: 659
    I find that when I do light exercising with a cold I recover from it faster than if I were to do nothing but rest & sleep. Like you, I usually only get sick once or twice a year. I still workout, I just go very easy - 30 minute walk & some light strength training with free weights.

    Here's my theory: working out keeps you moving and your blood pumping, so it helps break up that congestion in your chest and head faster. When it gets broken up, its easier for the body to move it out of its system. Kind of like a rock - its nearly impossible to move a boulder, but if you break it up into smaller peices, the job gets done much faster.

    I would also reccommend exercising outside if the weather is nice! Fresh air has been scientifically proven to help get rid of and prevent colds.
  • Demwitted
    Demwitted Posts: 163
    Here's my theory: working out keeps you moving and your blood pumping, so it helps break up that congestion in your chest and head faster. When it gets broken up, its easier for the body to move it out of its system. Kind of like a rock - its nearly impossible to move a boulder, but if you break it up into smaller peices, the job gets done much faster.

    Probably something to that. A massage therapist friend says that massage does the same thing. It opens up blood vessels. If the cold is just coming on, it makes it come on faster, but you also get over it faster. It flushes out your system.
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