Hi, I just asked about how often to work out at the gym on another question, now I'm wondering if you work out when you're sick with the flu?

Even though I've had an awful flu the past four days and have been off work (definitely wasn't fit for work) and still feel terrible, I've been going to the gym most days since it makes me feel a bit better. It might be psychological...

I'm wondering if anyone else does this, or should I really be resting?

When I am sick, which isn't often. I give myself TLC, no work out, no vigurous housework at all. No jogging. Rest and plenty of hydration.

Rest and chicken soup when I am sick

If you can go, then go. A cough, sore throat and a headache shouldn't stop you. You get good days and real results from working out when you go the days that you hate the most and don't feel like going, so going when you're sick is a good thing--its a toughness thing, and when you're better its all the more rewarding knowing that you went when you were sick, but if you're immobilized sick then don't bother--you will know where to draw the line.

Something interesting, at least from what I've found, is that when you skip days due to an immobilizing cold you really don't lose a whole lot of progress, your body is weak and shut down and for some reason you don't lose a whole lot of strength or endurance. However your second day back will be a little troublesome. If anything exersizing won't make the cold worse because its already run its course. In fact it may be helping you because you get more blood flow and your white blood cells are traveling more. The only thing you got to lose when going to the gym when your sick is a really difficult day.

Frangipanis, you're a trooper, you run and lift and you go exercise even when you're sick. Keep it up and you'll be an exceptionally fit person.

Disclaimer: I am not telling you what to do. I am no professional. Everything I say is based on my obervations and personal experiences.

Stay home. Give your body the rest it needs. You are double taxing your immune system. Your immune system is already in high gear trying to fight off whatever illness you may have... over stressing it with a workout can make it SERIOUSLY worse. The gym has enough germs that will make you even MORE sick since your body's defenses are already weak...

... and on that note, do everyone else a favour! Keep your germs at home. Don't make everyone else sick at the gym. Hey, we all get sick, and I hate it just as much as the next guy (even worse when I have a competition coming up and it sends my schedule and diet out of wack). If you must, and it makes you feel better, exercise lightly at home...

Now I feel really guilty! Sooo sorry!! I'm used to fighting off the flu and don't often get one ~ it's only been this and the last time I had the flu a few months ago that it's hung on for so long. I'll just have to rest until I get over it.

Thanks for the advice.

Damn, Mass Nutrition and I couldn't conflict any more with our health and fitness philosophies.

No, you don't really go wrong staying home when sick.

Hey, we all get sick, and I hate it just as much as the next guy (even worse when I have a competition coming up and it sends my schedule and diet out of wack).

I value progess and getting the rough day now because Im sick rather than getting a rough day next week because I was nursing myself back to health--and I hate rough days. I know I won't die from going when sick either I bite my lip and do the damn thing. Mass Nurtrition values all around health and what's always best for you at any given moment.

I figure if the cold is going around enough Ill probably get it anyway and I have a certain respect for someone sucking it up and sticking to their routine, but that's me and the rest of the world differs from me and would probably have hissy fit seeing someone sick in the gym.

Yes, I have shuddered being coughed and sneezed on in the locker room at the gym. I can't get away fast enough from the germs, especially when everyone is hot and sweaty and the air is humid from the showers. I can think of a worse breeding ground for all kinds of nasty things.

Somoneone mentioned immune systems already weakened by sickness won't heal faster from arduous exercise. Its true.

OKAY tickle! I promise never to step inside a gym spreading germs again :)

An instructor mentioned this evening that the treadmill is fine since it helps with breathing and clearing the system, while weights and massage ought to be avoided. I'm not sure if this is based on medical knowledge or opinion, yet it sounds reasonable.

As the flu spreads mostly through droplets from sneezing or coughs, or physical transfers such as from hands covering a cough, I don't use the gym when I'm certain to be spewing droplets with viruses into the air. Its just decent courtesy.

That doesn't mean I won't work out. I have some dvds at home and there's always the great outdoors. For me, ill move my body when it feels strong, and rest when its in the downhill slide during the day. Even a walk around the neighborhood can mentally boost your spirits.

Putting aside the issue of spreading germs for now, my main reason for asking was to hear what views there are on exercising while sick with the flu ~ walking, jogging, running, using weights, swimming, etc.

What I've been mostly wondering is whether I have been prolonging the flu by not resting as much as I should. The thought that using weights will spread the flu virus further throughout the body is not something I'd heard before. I'm now wondering if it is backed up by any medical evidence.

Thanks again for all the different views on this.

You're now alone. I also do go to the gym even if I'm sick. There was a time I went there even if I had the flu. After that, I perspired big time and the next day, the flu was gone.

Glad I'm not the only one to have done that, and it seems to have helped rid you of your flu in that instance. Curious how it can sometimes work like that, hey.

I agree with mass nutrition, give your body the rest it needs. Plus you liable to pass your flu along to others and that's not very cool.

Point taken re the general consensus that going to the gym while with the flu is not good for "others", more than it being a question of whether it's good for ourselves. Most advice to do with avoiding and passing on the flu is to practice good hygiene, maintain a healthy diet, and rest.