Is it waste training while with a cold/flu

[JUICE]

I was gonna train today but been sick all damn week. I only trained Monday chest. Today i was going to do 6 sets of shoulders, biceps, back, and triceps for a good pump since i skipped all week long. But a buddy of mine told me not do it since I sound really bad. Since Im not eating all there this wekk is it bad to do so train.

[psyko1]

i don't think it's bad as long as you don't overdo it. your body will tell you how much you can lift. it definetly won't be 100%. i usually feel better after a workout while i'm sick.

[believer]

I thought you were going to start using vitamin c, b, e, zinc ect.. (as discussed in an earlier thread). You haven't have you? If you had, you wouldn't be sick.
I believe training while sick will lower your ability to ward off other threats to your health and probably allow this particular illness to hold on longer. I don't have any peer-reviewed references, just my opinion.

[TheRussian]

Re: Is it waste training while with a cold/flu

Originally posted by JUICE
I was gonna train today but been sick all damn week. I only trained Monday chest. Today i was going to do 6 sets of shoulders, biceps, back, and triceps for a good pump since i skipped all week long. But a buddy of mine told me not do it since I sound really bad. Since Im not eating all there this wekk is it bad to do so train.

sup bro.

I'm in the same exact boat. Been sick all week long with flu then a cold. Skipped most of the week; haven't been eating much either.

I'd skip the workout until you fully recover. The immune system will be stressed when you work out, and hinder your recovery.

[LARGELI]

Re: Re: Is it waste training while with a cold/flu

Originally posted by TheRussian
sup bro.

I'm in the same exact boat. Been sick all week long with flu then a cold. Skipped most of the week; haven't been eating much either.

I'd skip the workout until you fully recover. The immune system will be stressed when you work out, and hinder your recovery.

hmmm i think ill disagree with this one...
ive always felt that working out and powering through a cold/flu will make your immune system stronger. I dont have any scientific proof but all i know is that i feel great mentally when i push myself to go to the gym when my body says no.
and your mental health plays a bigger role in fighting off an illness then anything.
i never notice a difference in the time it takes to get over a cold/flu whether i go to the gym or not, so i always tell myself, that i could either sit around the house and bitch and moan and complain about how horrible i feel or i could get my sorry ass off the couch and sweat it out.

[JUICE]

Originally posted by believer
I thought you were going to start using vitamin c, b, e, zinc ect.. (as discussed in an earlier thread). You haven't have you? If you had, you wouldn't be sick.
I believe training while sick will lower your ability to ward off other threats to your health and probably allow this particular illness to hold on longer. I don't have any peer-reviewed references, just my opinion.

yeah man been taking my vitamins since i started me thread a long time ago. Drink alot of orange juice too. Been taking care of myself alotbut i guess i was out on the local festival last weekend. The weather was cold around 40-50 degree and all i had was a sweater. Then the beer too was too cold. im screwed:eek:

[believer]

40-50 is cold?? Two weeks ago we didn't get into double digits for the entire week. Now, THAT'S cold.

[ski]

Stay home until you are fully recuperated.Your immune system is rebuilding slowly and fighting off the infectios cold.Any further breakdown of the sstem will put you in a catabolic state.Beside if you aren`t eating you shouldn`t be training.Get some rest you won`t lose much.

[Notorious]

I usally train no matter what, up untill i feel like overtraining is approaching. i had phnemonia (not sure about spelling) and continued to train and run around the block when it snowed. i guess depends on how dedicated you are

[ski]

That`s not dedication,that`s unsound training.You are not going to do your body any good training while sick.It`s about gaining not damaging the body with no chance of it recovering,

[golilla]

Originally posted by ski
That`s not dedication,that`s unsound training.You are not going to do your body any good training while sick.It`s about gaining not damaging the body with no chance of it recovering,

I agree completely. When you work out you are tearing down tissue and stressing your body. The flu or cold is also damaging tissue and stressing your body. You need your body to repair and rebuild what the bug is doing. Your body will sacrafice muscle tissue to accomplish it's mission of fighting off germs. So you will definitely become catabolic as your body uses it's resources elsewhere.

[trip]

Too each his own.

I train, do something no matter what. Obviously it is not at a high intensity level, yet I always feel better mentally and physically.

[hlcn8]

i saw this article a while ago, but had trouble finding it again somewhere that didn't want me to sign up for their services in order to read the content, but it deals w/ the neck down rule for training while sick... it's not really geared towards bodybuilders (it's actually from a web-site for women), but i think we're all used to scavenging information for ourselves and putting it to use, and better at it than others (damn body-builder discriminators : )
http://www.vancouverwomen.com/archiv...tters_Archive_(Krista's_Column)/Is_It_Safe_to_Exercise_When_You_Are_Sick.htm
It’s that time of year again when it seems everyone around you is either sniffling, sneezing and hacking or complaining about their achy bones or painful headaches. Often my first reaction when someone is sick is to ask them to go home because I certainly don’t want to catch whatever they have. However, I don’t always heed my own advice, especially when it comes to exercise. Whether you’re a competitive athlete, an exercise junky or a weekend warrior, you need to listen to your body when it comes to exercising when you are sick.

When I started to research some guidelines for exercising while sick, there really weren’t any black and white rules but rather a number of very wise recommendations. When you’re ill your body’s immune system works overtime to fight off various infections and viruses. A runny nose, for example, is usually a good sign because it’s the body’s way of fighting against infections such as rhinovirus (a common upper respiratory infection). However, the body’s defence against a more major infection usually results in body aches, fever (a temperature over 98.6°), night sweats, chills, and so on and should certainly be regarded as a more serious condition.
The roles of exercise and the immune system have a lot to do with each other. Exercise does place higher demands on the body’s immune system although exactly how much is unknown. Some research shows that moderate exercise for less than an hour may actually boost the immune system’s functioning (ACSM, 1998). However, extremely intense training may suppress the immune system post workout and result in increased susceptibility to infection¹.

So, can exercise worsen the effects of illness? The answer is yes, depending on both the severity of the illness and the intensity of the exercise. Sometimes, though, exercise can help you feel better by clearing a stuffy head when you have a cold. Here are some guidelines for when you think you can’t bear to miss your workout:

The NECK CHECK

A good rule of thumb is to do a neck check on your symptoms. If your symptoms are located ‘above-your-neck’ – for example, a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, a slightly sore throat – exercise is probably safe. Start at half intensity though. If you feel better after about 10 minutes of exercising, increase your intensity; if you don’t feel better or feel worse, stop. If your symptoms are ‘below-your-neck’ - aches and fever, hacking cough, chills, diarrhea, swollen glands, fatigue, and/or vomiting - definitely forgo exercise. You will end up weaker and certainly more dehydrated. Ideally, when getting back to exercise after your below-the-neck symptoms disappear, ease into your program. A good rule of thumb would be to exercise for two days at a lower intensity for every day you were sick².

Keep HYDRATED

When we are well we need at least 8 cups of water or fluids during the normal course of a day. When you are ill, you need even more. Increase your fluid uptake to both help fight infections and replace any lost fluids due to fever, diarrhea, and so on.
MEDICATION Common Sense

Often over-the-counter medications such as cough and cold medications have different effects on the body. Some can cause drowsiness, upset stomach, dizziness and insomnia. Use caution. Read labels and follow directions carefully. If you have been prescribed antibiotics from your physician, make sure you take them properly and completely as directed. Antibiotics cannot kill viruses but are effective against bacterial infections. If you are taking any herbal remedies, the same rules apply. “More” of a good thing doesn’t necessarily make it better.
VACCINATION Update

Make sure your measles, mumps, tetanus and rubella immunizations are current. Discuss the option of getting a flu vaccination with your physician.
TAKE CARE of Yourself

Eating properly by getting in the recommended amounts of vegetables, fruits, protein, fibre and water can only benefit you. As can making sure you get enough sleep. Sleep is the time when your body is working in repair and recovery mode. If you’re starting to feel as though you’re becoming ill, modify your workouts and focus on more gentle forms of exercise such as stretching or mind/body activities.
Avoid SPREADING Your Cold or Flu

When you are ill, it really is best to stay at home and not ‘share’ your illness with your co-workers or friends. Avoid sharing towels or water bottles at the gym and spray and wipe down all the equipment you use. Use tissues and avoid touching your face. Mucosae from your mouth, nose and eyes are very contagious. And the best advice for the prevention of spreading and catching a cold or flu? WASH your hands often throughout the day with soap and water! Studies have shown frequent washing can significantly decrease your risk of illness.
Remember, it is always better to play it safe. Forgoing your workouts for a couple of days will not be detrimental to your overall training program, but ending up with a severe bronchial infection or a cardiac condition because you didn’t listen to your body, could!

Footnotes:
1. (Rizzo, Terry; IDEA, Health and Fitness Nov-Dec 2000)
2. (Primo & Wappes, The Physician and Sports Medicine, V24, No. 1, Jan. 96)

Krista Popowych, B.HK, is a fitness professional from Vancouver, BC. She joined The Fitness Group in 1990, and is now its Director of Programs. As an ADIDAS Three Stripe Team sponsored athlete, Krista is one of only twenty in Canada. She presents nationally and internationally on group fitness, personal training, health & wellness, and fitness management.

[jdawg]

i personally make myself go to the gym when i am sick, it also makes me feel better when i am finished too. i just feel too flat if i wait till i feel better