Should You Workout When You’re Sick?

I think I did a post on this about a year or so ago (must be the season), but I often wonder if its really worth it to keep working out when you’re sick. I’ve read several articles that would suggest that although you may not have as much energy and intensity when you are sick, you can still get benefit from it. That’s probably true.

I guess the thing that I always wonder is that if I keep working out when I’m sick, and I just prolonging the sickness? Or should I just take some time, get feeling better, and then get back into the swing of things. My natural tendency would be to just get better first.

What have your experiences been in regards to this?

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rss 30 comments
  1. February 8th, 2008 | 4:56 am

    I usually find that working out and getting active when I’m sick helps my body to fight it all the better. As for going back to work when you are sick, I’d say that if your job is a sedantary one in an air conditioned office, perhaps best not - I usually end up feeling awful if I go back too soon into that kind of environment.

  2. February 8th, 2008 | 5:02 am

    I think everyone is different here. Personally I have a very high stress threshold. The only problem is that when I exceed it I always end up crashing down twice as hard and fast. I always bounce back eventually and end up seeking out those stressful activities and workloads that I crave in volumes that people tell me are unhealthy.

  3. February 9th, 2008 | 9:38 am

    it depends on what kind of “sickness” i have. If i am running a fever, it is wise to stay in and have plenty of rest, or I’ll do a colon cleanse and have a good rest. AT times when my body is aching, i feel good after a good sweat out. When we can tune into our body, it will tell us what’s best for us to do.

  4. February 9th, 2008 | 7:25 pm

    I have heard that you should work out when you are sick, but do a light work out. That way, your body doesnt over exert itself but still gets some benefit.

  5. February 10th, 2008 | 12:50 am

    I think you should still do some workouts but reduce your period. For example, if you often take exercises 30 minutes per day, now you should take exercises 10 minutes per day until you get recovered.

  6. February 18th, 2008 | 11:36 pm

    I was sick a couple of weeks ago and thought that going to the gym would make me feel worse. I really didn’t want to go, but my husband did, so I went anyway. Whatever I was sick with ended up going away much faster than it normally would have, and I think working out had something to do with it. As crappy as I felt while working out, I’m glad I did!

  7. February 23rd, 2008 | 10:50 am

    I never work out when I am sick. It just feels like that would make me even sicker.

  8. mom
    February 23rd, 2008 | 5:57 pm

    At me in a life many the intense situations and I calm myself physical exercises!

  9. March 5th, 2008 | 3:31 am

    I hope now u have recovered from your sickness. I am just giving my opinion that you should consult the doctor before doing any exercise that absorbs your Energy during sickness

  10. March 6th, 2008 | 2:01 pm

    I would say if you are going to infect others stay home and do as much of a work out as you can there and listen to your body it needs some of that energy to fight off the sickness . Just my opinion.

  11. Mac
    April 4th, 2008 | 8:46 am

    When I’m sick I just go to sleep and think for nothing, even I’m not aware of the day or night.

  12. V
    April 9th, 2008 | 4:11 am

    I believe it depends on how sick you are. If it’s a common cold for example I’ve found out that training helps me get well faster. However I don’t think training is applicable in any condition when you have elevated body temperature. In that case you just tire up your body and weaken it more in a moment when it needs all its energy thus prolonging your illness

  13. July 21st, 2008 | 3:35 am

    Usually I’ll try to at least have a casual walk outside when I’m sick, even if it’s cold. I don’t like staying locked inside, in a ’sick room’, so to say, but I don’t want to impose strenuous efforts on a weakened body either. We have to find the middle-ground in such cases as well. :)

  14. August 13th, 2008 | 3:14 am

    no, if you’re sick take a day of… imho

  15. September 24th, 2008 | 1:04 am

    good article about health but I think you should still do some workouts but reduce your period. For example, if you often take exercises 30 minutes per day, now you should take exercises 10 minutes per day until you get recovered.

  16. May 10th, 2009 | 12:59 am

    I’ll do a colon cleanse and have a good rest. AT times when my body is aching, i feel good after a good sweat out. When we can tune into our body, it will tell us what’s best for us to do.

  17. October 19th, 2009 | 3:42 am

    when i am sick , i only thing i do is sleeping. this will make our body relax

  18. November 11th, 2009 | 3:33 pm

    Just listen to your body. Depending on what is affecting me sometimes I find it helpful to do only stretching instead of the entire routine I practice daily. I understand when you immune system is compromised it’s better to get complete rest.

  19. July 23rd, 2010 | 11:31 am

    No matter how much im into fitness. When i am sick the last thing im thinking of is the gym.

  20. November 18th, 2010 | 1:30 pm

    You should definitely get over your illness first! It’s not like you’re going to lose some massive amount of muscle mass while taking a temporary hiatus from working out. In fact, the body could always use a good break from time to time, regardless if you’re sick or not. Cheers!

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  23. December 3rd, 2010 | 1:22 pm

    For me it all depends on what type of illness it is. If I am just a little stuffed up or have a little cold, then I find working out usually makes me feel better. However, if it is any type of flu, then I don’t workout and I stay home in bed.

  24. December 14th, 2010 | 1:15 pm

    Usually it is best to stay home so that you don’t make other people sick. You don’t want to be “that person”!

  25. Jin
    March 1st, 2011 | 8:19 am

    Good article.

    I probably would not train if I were really sick. But if it’s just a flu, I might still do a light workout.

  26. hgh
    May 10th, 2011 | 4:25 am

    awesome article shared by you and thanks for posting such a great article

  27. May 21st, 2011 | 4:54 pm

    I would definately wait to get better first.

  28. July 1st, 2011 | 9:36 am

    No need to work out when your sick. Your body has to rest at some point.
    how to detox your body to lose weight

  29. July 19th, 2011 | 11:57 pm

    I beloved as much as you’ll obtain performed proper here. I’ve had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out. I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Kudos!

  30. October 15th, 2011 | 4:41 am

    Great post. I´m not working out at all when I´m sick. I think that body needs to rest and relax. manolo blahnik topánky

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