Training when Sick
Written by Shoshana Pritzker Monday, 17 May 2010 15:56
March 20, 2009
Two weeks ago I left sunny South, FL to visit a city that's typically graced with snow at this time of year. I went to the Arnold Classic for 4 measly days. You'd think only four days in the cold, regular doses of a superb multi-vitamin/mineral supplement, daily mega-doses of Vitamin C and a generally healthy body and immune system that I'd easily avoid any bugs or viruses. If only I were so lucky!
Just like last year, I ended up catching the dreaded Arnold Flu...
It seems that the imfamous bug of the Arnold Classic is not only effecting those in attendance. This year people are sick all over the country. If you are one of the unlucky people (like me) to catch this bug you may wonder, is it ok for me to work out while I am sick?
Surely common sense will tell you that you should rest until you've allowed your body full recovery. But if you're like me, you can't stand a single day out of the gym let alone possibly more than a week. You've got the craving, the urge, to get your butt up out of bed and into the gym.
The general protocol remains as such, however, if your doctor requests that you do not work out for a given period of time it's best you follow doctor's orders.
Do Not Workout if...
- You have a fever
- You are highly contagious and in a public gym
- You feel nauseous
- Your congestion is in your chest
Workout if...
- You have a mild cold that is pretty much over
- Your congestion is above the neck only
Keep in mind that you are not at your 100% while sick. Training will only increase your time til your body recovers and you're surely not going to be able to lift as heavy or train as hard as you usually do. My suggestion is that if you do decide to workout, be sure you are not contagious (how would you feel if other sick people were training in the gym while you were there and not sick), go light (your body and muscles are not at their strongest, risk of injury increases), do more cardio, stop if you need to stop.
Last year I trained pretty hard while I had the Arnold Flu and ended up severely injuring my hamstring to the point in which it is still not fully healed. This year I've learned my lesson and yes it was tough, but I did take about 5 days off of the gym. Now I am working my way through getting over this cold and back to my workouts!