TIME OUT
Should You Work Out When You are Sick?
There’s no right or wrong answer. But if you decide to work out, there are several things to keep in mind.
When to Rest or Exercise When Sick
Determining whether it's okay to exercise ultimately depends on how you feel. If you're not sure if you should lace up your sneakers, check with a doctor. A simple way to decide is to map out your symptoms: Are they from the neck up or the neck down?
Okay
It's usually okay to exercise when symptoms above the neck include:
Runny nose
Slight cough
Sinus and Nasal congestion
Sneezing
Minor sore throat pain
Skip
It's usually best to skip a workout when symptoms include:
Chest congestion
Hacking cough
Upset stomach
Do not
Definitely do not work out when your symptoms include:
A fever
Widespread muscle aches
Swollen lymph glands
Fatigue
If you've experienced these symptoms, it's best to wait until you're feeling better to resume training.
Listen to Your Body
If you feel run down and need the rest, take it. A few skipped days won't drastically decrease performance. However, if you do go workout, keep these things in mind:
- A workout while sick should generally be lower intensity and shorter in duration than normal
- If you choose to exercise, now is not the time to run a new personal record or lift heavier
- Once you start to feel better, gradually bump up exercise intensity
If you have any remaining questions, please contact your healthcare provider.
