Training and sick (mild cold)

[Fiddleman 4,376]

There are mixed opinions out there questioning if one should train, workout or exercise when affected with a cold or flu. Besides feeling generally cruddy, are there medical reasons why a person should cool it until better? I read that training can cause the immune system to become compromised even more after being compromised from cold bacteria. There is other information that discusses a raise in body heat will kill off the bacteria. I have been dealing with a mild cld all week and it has become stronger today (DayQuil is my friend). I was able to cross fit on Tuesday and did fine, but today I cancelled as not wanting this cold to drag on any longer. I hate missing a training session.

Thoughts on what the is right thing to do?

[DonRodolfo 1,416]

There are mixed opinions out there questioning if one should train, workout or exercise when affected with a cold or flu. Besides feeling generally cruddy, are there medical reasons why a person should cool it until better? I read that training can cause the immune system to become compromised even more after being compromised from cold bacteria. There is other information that discusses a raise in body heat will kill off the bacteria. I have been dealing with a mild cld all week and it has become stronger today (DayQuil is my friend). I was able to cross fit on Tuesday and did fine, but today I cancelled as not wanting this cold to drag on any longer. I hate missing a training session.

Thoughts on what the is right thing to do?

While I'm hardly any sort of medical professional or fitness expert, I've always felt our bodies tell us when it needs something (like rest) - I feel that's what a cold tells us. You seem to me like the kind of person here who is working their body hard to get fit, take a break today and see how you feel tomorrow.

Yesterday I was finally able to get to 30 minutes on the treadmill, I was actually moving at a good clip (for me ) and I didn't feel like dying afterwards. I want to do it again today but my body is resisting (feeling like I have a cold coming on myself).

[johnlatte 1,232]

stay home, feel better, keep you germs to yourself.... I've worked out when I felt bad, it just isn't worth it. You aren't going to put all the weight back on or turn in to a fluffy marshmallow if you miss a day.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Last I checked there still is no proven cure for the common cold so I'm pretty sure this concept of killing off bacteria through exercise induced heat increase is just a theory. Besides, at what temp does the virus burn up? And just how much to you suppose you raise your core temp? Your core temp doesn't go up that much...if it did you'd die.

I'd give your body a chance to heal. Consider it an opportunity to catch up on your reading...exercise of the mind is just as important as exercise of the body.

[deedadumble 1,033]

I've read somewhere that if it's above your neck you can still train, but below your neck you should rest. Either way, if you're running a fever you should rest and get plenty of fluids. Hope you feel better soon!

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Thanks all - I will take it easy.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Still feeling icky today, but decided to workout because 1. Not working out was draining me and 2. No fever. Got a mile run and a rotation of push lifts in. Feel better now, but still sub human.