Working out when sick

[mmagoo]

I haven't worked out since early last week because I've had a bad cold. I'm finally starting to feel better, but still a little tired.

I was thinking about going to the gym for a light workout today, maybe just some cardio. Does that sound like a good idea or is it best to wait until I'm back to 100%.

If nothing else I think it would feel good to move around since I've been on the couch so much. But man it's hard to get back into a routine after a break.

Just wanted to hear other people's thoughts.

[hopefulskeptic2]

IMHO. Always work out with a cold. I feel 900 times better when I do. Especially hard cardio. Clears up the sinuses. Laying around being stuffy just makes me miserable.
Go do cardio!!! :hustle:

[Rookie5120]

I feel 900 times better when I do. Especially hard cardio.

I would have to agree with that. I find working out when I am sick helps me get well a lot quicker than when I just lay around.

It is certainly hard to get motivated, but well worth it when I am done.

[mmagoo]

All right, all right, I'll go. Actually, a nice steam room after would probably help the sinuses too.

Thanks for the input.

[Astor]

The general rule I've read is it's OK to workout if the cold is in the head...but if it's in the chest, better to take it easy. Also, cardio does raise the body temperature, temporarily weakening the immune system. Here are some quotes from a WebMD article about exercising while sick:

" The official recommendation from the American College of Sports Medicine is to lay low when symptoms include fevers, body aches, or extreme fatigue."

" exercise physiologists tend to subscribe to the "neck-up" rule. That is, moderate exercise gets the green light if symptoms are confined to the head, such as sneezing, headaches, and watery eyes. "

"Listen to your body. If it hurts, if there's discomfort where you usually don't have discomfort, it's worthwhile backing off until that passes."



Astor

[LEBound]

Just a bit more info here, exercise can also lower your white blood cell count, which are the cells responsible for fighting off illness.

[CaliYanksFan]

To state the obvious ...do a lighter workout ...if you go at your regular pace, you will over exert yourself.

[jm77]

This is just a regurgitation of what I was told by a Respiratory Therapist after being treated for a respiratory infection (result of running while sick) :

Almost all the time when you have symptoms of congestion, there is mucus build up in the area of the bronchi. When you exercise the bronchi dilate and you aspirate in all the mucus, which settles in the base of the lungs causing an infection.

Based on personal experience, wait the week or two until you feel 100% or risk antibiotics and bed rest for almost a month.

[Brindle]

I have alergies/hay feaver, and I can almost always tell the differene between alergies/hay feaver and the onset of a cold.

For me, because getting sick has been my greatest probelem in fitness development, when feeling under the weather I take it easy.

On the flip side, when I am health, I workout about twn times per week. So if I miss a week or so, it is not that bad. What I really try to avoid is that sever cold that develops into, bronchitis, and coughing that lasts three months.

I would suggest against strength training when not feeling well. Perhaps you could just walk.

[MechMan]

I really hate it when I read a forum out of curiosity, then a week later the whole forum applies to me. I have been dealing with an upper respiratory infection (probably bronchitis) for the last week. I haven't dared to work out. I am on the mend now, but probably will wait another week before resuming intense exercise.

[hopefulskeptic2]

Me, too, Mechman. I did workout fairly often through the cold I'm just now getting rid of. I went for a run the night before jm77 posted Almost all the time when you have symptoms of congestion, there is mucus build up in the area of the bronchi. When you exercise the bronchi dilate and you aspirate in all the mucus, which settles in the base of the lungs causing an infection. and of course I about asphyxiated from all of the drainage after my run that night. ;) So, I eased up for the rest of my workouts. I will start hitting it hard again tomorrow as I appear to be over this goo.:D

[MechMan]

Just got back from the Doctor. Eventhough I feel that I am getting over my respiratory infection, he still prescribed an antibiotic and inhaled steroid. He also said that exercise can be continued as long as the workouts are only half of normal.

To all suffering from respiratory infections, head colds, plugged up sinuses, hemoroids, or whatever.... get better.

MM

[Joe159]

Working out with a minor cold is fine I suppose. Working out with the flu or something is obviously a different matter. I dont think cardio will make you feel better if you have the flu...