Working out when sick...

[Concat]

How bad is it? About tree fiddy, I know... but do you gents change up your routine when you, say, have a sore throat? Or is it just a case by case basis and whether or not you "feel up to it"?

[adamdavidson47]

Depends on how I feel. If I'm super weak, I won't even bother. If it's just a cold, and I can fight through, I will try.

[chazzy1864]

Or is it just a case by case basis and whether or not you "feel up to it"?

This.

[stefanosgr]

Depends on how sick you are.

NEVER work out with a fever or if you have a serious cold ,it can get worse since your system doesn't work the same healthy way as before (plus you can make others sick too)

[KillerB84]

Just rest up. You are not going to get weaker by skipping a workout or two.

Relax and drink plenty of fluids. I recently took a week off from lifting due to illness and when I came back the next week I hit a rep PR. You are more likely to benefit from the rest than from pushing yourself through a workout.

[IDrinkBloodLOL]

I don't do it. Ever. It just makes me sicker, and in my experience it really seems like when you're sick, all working a muscle does is deteriorate it.

I'm not sure why, but I find complete rest to be better when sick - if I work anything that muscle is a lot weaker when I recover, but if I work nothing and eat like mad then I'm totally fine when I recover.

Who knows, you might be different. That's just how it works for me.

[ThickAsABrick]

Or is it just a case by case basis and whether or not you "feel up to it"?

That.

I work out if I am physically able to. If I feel like death, I don't. Be your own judge based on how sick you are. It's usually pretty obvious what the right call is.

[Yodums]

What determines if I go to the gym or not is if I'm able to complete a workout at the same intensity as I usually do. But to echo what was said above, it should be fairly obvious if you're in the condition to go or not.

[jwagz]

I don't do it. Ever.

I'm not sure why, but I find complete rest to be better when sick - if I work anything that muscle is a lot weaker when I recover, but if I work nothing and eat like mad then I'm totally fine when I recover.

Who knows, you might be different. That's just how it works for me.

^^this is my take as well, but every time i lift is a max effort. i don't body build. so those lifters are probably not the same as me.

also, consider the other people in the gym who are using the same equipment as you are. that's how colds and the flu spread

[mcmoon]

If I'm not sick enough to miss work then I'm not sick enough to miss a workout

[joe8512]

I usually take off completely when im sick so I can make a full recovery quicker and get back to normal routine. I prefer it versus tweaking my routine and prolonging a sickness. if you workout with consistency your body will appreciate the rest anyway, and usually i come back feeling stronger.

[SID]

Exercise is good when sick, unless you are too sick. Also if you have highly-contageous disease like flesh eating virus please stay away from the gym that day.

[FunkDaddy]

Agree with playing it by ear and the fact that you'd probably gain more from taking a few days or a week off to rest up. It might be your body telling you it needs a break.

But if you do go to the gym, please be very cognizant of wiping down your machines and what not after you use them. Serious douchebag move to spread your germs all over the gym.

[ThickAsABrick]

But if you do go to the gym, please be very cognizant of wiping down your machines and what not after you use them. Serious douchebag move to spread your germs all over the gym.

Gyms are germ havens, even without sick people in there.

Don't eat a meal off a bench, wash your hands when done, and all is well.

[adamdavidson47]

Gyms are germ havens, even without sick people in there.

Don't eat a meal off a bench, wash your hands when done, and all is well.

This. The last thing I'm worried about catching at the gym is a cold. I try not to think of all the people who don't wipe things down when they are done.