Working Out When Sick (LIFTING WEIGHTS)

Working out regularly can help you stay healthier…

One of the most common questions I get asked is whether it is ok to workout when sick. The answer isn’t as easy as yes or no. You see, different people deal with sickness and injury very differently. What may be disabling to one might feel like nothing but a minor setback to another. That said, there are some general guidelines to follow when you’re sick to tell whether or not it’s a good idea to skip your workout or try and battle through and get it done.

If your symptoms are generally located from the neck up, including a headache, sore throat, stuffy nose, runny nose, or earache…then it is commonly accepted that you can still perform your strength training workout without much fear of causing more harm than good. Now that said, each of these symptoms can be generated from a much more complex underlying illness that would definitely preclude you from training. For instance, if your headaches are coming from viral meningitis, skip the workout bro and head to the hospital!

If your symptoms are from the neck down, including a fever, body aches, muscle aches, respiratory illness, etc then you likely will want to skip the workout all together and rest. When your body’s immune system is compromised, adding a catabolic workout process or stress in addition is not likely to be too productive. In fact, with such limited resources available for recovery, you might even be wasting your hard work since the priority will be illness recovery rather than piling up the lean muscle gains at times like these.

The groups of symptoms above requires some clarifications as well. For instance, if you feel good enough to go to the gym but your runny nose is causing you to wipe your snots all over the dumbbells between sets, consider staying home! There are some great home workouts you can be doing without having to subject the other gym members to your germs.

Same thing goes with the concept of sweating out your illness. If you want to take a hot shower or even take a quick jog, do it close to home. Only one thing grosser than a guy that sweats all over the equipment at the gym is a guy that sweats germ bullets all over the equipment at the gym.

One final note about this topic. I’m referring to weight training workouts. You may be able to get away with a very low intensity walk or jog or even yoga to try and help your body get back moving again without enduring the stress of overload from a heavy weight workout. Use your judgement when deciding whether it’s time for you to attempt these other workouts.

[ClashOfClans]

It's funny how probably everyone watching this video is sick

[DeAngelo]

Who else is sick and typed “working out when sick” and clicked on this video 😂

[Brandonplus]

When you're more mad about missing your workout than you are about being sick. Be patient you're not gonna lose all you've worked for.

[mukadereaper]

Currently ill but I completely hate how i'm sitting there in my bed while I could be working out.

[seacaptain]

i guess if you workout when sick. it will be a sick workout

[raf_boy]

Sage advice.
I don't know how many f'ing colds I caught at the gym due to some inconsiderate a-holes.

[waywardhunter]

I caught a cold, and went lighter on my workout, I honestly thought it was a wonder I even made it through at all. One thing that did happen, my sinuses cleared up, headache gone, I felt better for a time, and was able to sleep better. But like Jeff said, we all handle it differently, and I only have a cold.

[jesusgonzalez]

working out when sick to confuse the immune system right babe

[rzrselliott]

I once was doing bench press while I had the flu...shit all over the bench

[AoOniTV]

Thanks for taking the time to upload Jeff! Even when you're sick! Take care buddy!

[beales]

Your videos and advice are always really balanced, sensible and considered. Great channel.

[quaning]

Who else watching this when COVID-19 is pandemic

[timtrainage]

I watched this while in the gym, sick, and thinking the EXACT SAME THING.
I then proceeded to set down my weights, clean my station and walk out the door.

[haydenhumphrey]

Who’s watching this video in October 2019 because of the weather change 😂

[wlsntech]

I'm actually sick right now, so I know the feeling

[darrylh]

Wish I searched for this last week lol. I made the mistake of doing a hard workout while I was just getting over a bad cold, felt great afterwards then the next day it crept back and was full force again and down again for another 5-6 days. Its best to just let your body take care of itself, pump some extra vit D, C and Zinc into your system and refrain from exercising until you feel fully capable.

[comatoseenigma]

Everyone watching this ill. Get well soon guys

[rhythm]

6 years later and this video still comforts me that I'm not gonna loose all my progress. I've been sticking to a programme for a little over 3 months and I'm happy to know that a little break would do me little to none harm. Thank you Jeff.

[Dazbog]

In fairness the week's rest will probably do most people some good. I came back from the flu and on day 1 broke my flat bench 1 rep max.

[MEPSIPAX]

Been sick for 4 days now. Want to work out at the gym but I know that if I strain myself I'll just prolong my sickness. Thanks for the confirmation I'm doing the right thing Jeff.