Working out when sick?

[apologist]

What do you guys think about working out when you're sick, such as when you have a cold?

The reason I ask is because this week was my off-week -- I'm doing Max-OT -- and I just so happened to get sick; however, I'm not well yet, and I might not be well by Monday. So should I wait until I can hit it hard, or should I just start on Monday, even though I might be sick?

Thanks...

[Scouse_Lifter]

For me:
Cold - yes
Flu - no


read the "Sick? go train!" article on T-Nation for more info on this stuff

[4amWorkouts]

During a working out you can temporarily lower your immune system, which if you are sick is a bad thing. The plus side is that by exercising regularly and eating right, you boost your immune system in the long run which can increase the rate at which you heal.

I developed a bacterial infection on Tuesday and have missed the last two workouts. I probably could have pushed it today, but would rather miss one more day than a week by starting back too soon and getting worse.

[geoffsherman]

The rule of thumb is that if it is above your shoulders, then you can workout. If it is below your shoulders, then rest up. I would say if you are doing Max-OT, then wait until you feel better regardless. I also happened to get sick this week which is my off week. It must be going around Max-OT users

[IH8CARDIO]

If you're on MAXOT then you might actually benefit from an extra few days off in addition to your planned 7 days off. Assuming it's more serious than a cough, I'd hold off for a few days just to be sure.

[apologist]

This is all very helpful, but it raises another question with regards to MAX-OT: when you must miss a day or two due to illness, do you just skip those body parts that week or double up to make up those workouts, such as doing legs and chest on one day?

Thanks again...

[THUNDERGOD]

Stay out of the gym when your sick, first of all your spreading your sickly germs to everything you touch, dumbells, barbells, plates, collars, drinking fountain, you name it.... Not cool getting half the place sick.

Secondly, you can't give it your all and will only put forth a partial effort, why discourage yourself?

Mostly to be resectful of others.

[WeedyBloke]

I just discovered this.

I worked out with heavier weights than normal on Monday and had a great workout. I didn't realise I was carrying a viral infection (only symptom was a barely noticable rash), I woke up Tuesday almost crippled and today even worse :/

No workout till next week..I hate missing them though

[Rob184Rob]

07 Oct 2004 "University of Illinois researchers report that four consecutive days of moderate exercise in mice after they were infected with influenza protects them from dying, compared with mice that didn't exercise. . . . The takeaway message: exercise regularly because you never know when you'll be exposed!

“The animals did very moderate exercise while they were mounting an immune response,” Jeffrey A. Woods, PhD., noted. As soon as symptoms appeared, exercise was stopped, to mirror how most people react once they come down with flu-like symptoms.


Off to run in the wheel in my cage now.

[Vino24]

Stay out of the gym when your sick, first of all your spreading your sickly germs to everything you touch, dumbells, barbells, plates, collars, drinking fountain, you name it.... Not cool getting half the place sick.

Secondly, you can't give it your all and will only put forth a partial effort, why discourage yourself?

Mostly to be resectful of others.

I completely agree. Hell I used the anti-bacterial after just about every set just to be safe. The gym is already a hotbed for bacteria, don't fuel that by bringing your sickly self into the mix.

That being said, regarding the "if you have to miss a day on Max OT".....I'm in week 5 right now. between work, night class, and other commitments, I have had a few weeks where I "missed" on or two days lifting. What I do is either make up the two missed days on saturday and sunday, or if just one missed day, on one of those days.....and once I actually had two missed days and couldn't go one weekend day so I planned it accordingly so I did a 2-for-friday, but scheduled it safely so i was in the gym doing back/shoulders @ 6am and then did bi's/abs after work @ like 5:30. That's basically my way of being successful in Max-OT, while having a Max-OT schedule outside of the gym too!!!!!