Can i workout while sick

A: Stay home if you have a fever, stomach symptoms or the flu. Rest allows your immune system to recover. Get to bed early and get extra sleep, drink plenty of fluids no alcohol , take over-the-counter cold and flu medicines or ibuprofen as you recover.

A: Again, listen to your body. Consider reducing the intensity and length of your workout. Instead of going for a run, take a walk, for example. Let your body be your guide. If you feel miserable, take a break. A few days off from exercise when you're sick shouldn't affect your performance. Resume your normal workout routine gradually as you begin to feel better. Check with your doctor if you aren't sure if it's OK to exercise.

If you do choose to exercise when you're sick, reduce the intensity and length of your workout. If you attempt to exercise at your normal intensity when you have more than a simple cold, you could risk more-serious injury or illness. Edward R. Laskowski, M. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Healthy Lifestyle Fitness. Regular exercise can reduce your risk of becoming sick in the first place by boosting your immune system 20 , Many studies show that for most people, muscle loss and strength start to decline around the 5-day mark 22 , 23 , 24 , As symptoms subside, gradually begin introducing more physical activity into your day, being careful not to overdo it.

On your first day back to the gym, begin with a low intensity, shorter workout, and be sure to hydrate with water while exercising. Additionally, while you may be feeling better, keep in mind that you might still be able to spread your illness to others.

Adults can infect others with the flu up to 7 days after first experiencing flu symptoms Waiting until your symptoms completely subside before gradually getting back into your workout routine is a safe way to return to exercise after an illness. People tend to make many mistakes when they try to lose weight. Here are 15 common weight loss mistakes to avoid. Learn about the best pre-workout nutrition strategies.

Eating the right foods before a workout can maximize performance and speed up recovery. Exercise burns calories, but many people claim it doesn't help you lose weight. This article explores whether exercise really helps with weight loss. Lifting weights is about more than burning calories. Exercise is good for you, but getting started can be tough. This article explains how to start working out and stick to it in the long run. High-intensity interval training HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise alternated with recovery periods.

Here are 7 health benefits of HIIT. Some gyms even have rules that prohibit people from exercising while sick.

Instead, they can choose to exercise at home or outdoors. Most importantly, listen to the body. If a person feels exhausted just a few minutes into working out, it is probably time to stop.

It may be inconvenient, but it is much better to give the body a chance to recover and then go back to the usual exercise routine. Light to moderate exercise may help boost the immune system to avoid sickness, and when someone is already sick, it may also help increase circulation to reduce some symptoms of a head cold. It is important to avoid heavy or very strenuous exercise. People with more severe symptoms, such as those with a fever or a heavy cough, should also avoid exercise.

Overall, it is important to listen to the body and to stop working out if a person feels exhausted or too ill. Sometimes, people find they are always nauseous, run-down, or catching colds. They can feel sick with or without vomiting, while nausea may come and…. Exercise-induced asthma involves asthma symptoms occurring during or after exercise. In this article, we explore the causes, symptoms, and ways to…. This article describes optimal blood pressure readings.

In it, we also investigate how to lower blood pressure through exercise and other lifestyle…. Exercise during a period can improve mood, reduce pain, and provide overall health benefits. Learn more about exercising during a period here. People can improve their posture by practicing certain exercises and making some lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthful weight.

Learn more…. Should you work out when you are sick? Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.