Should i work out with a cold

Health Topics. Health Tools. By Madeline R. Reviewed: January 27, Medically Reviewed. You can exercise if: You want to and have the energy. Your symptoms are mild, such as just a runny nose. If your energy level feels good enough, you can head to the gym: just dial back the intensity of your workout. Think of your fellow gym-goers, too: Make sure you wash your hands , wipe down your equipment after use, and cough or sneeze into your shoulder rather than your hand to reduce the risk of spreading your germs to others.

If your symptoms are below the neck — coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea — or system-wide, like fever or joint aches — you should flat-out skip your workout. Plus, not only will you likely not be able to tolerate your normal routine, but attempting it could also put you at risk for respiratory problems, dehydration, dizziness, or even passing out. The type of exercise you perform while sick doesn't matter as much as the intensity. For instance, if you were set to do some sprints, try jogging instead.

If you're a fitness class junkie, it may be a good idea to skip the group workouts for a solo session. As previously mentioned, you'll want to avoid spreading germs by sneezing in the middle of a crowded class. Credit: GettyImages. Two Young Women Running. Shot of a young woman practcing a cobra pose during her yoga routine. Credit: Getty Images. Closeup rear view of group of people running on treadmills at local gym. There are two women and two men side by side looking through a large window.

Sunlight is flaring from the right hand side. Caucasian dancers rehearsing in gym. Credit: Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash. Young woman with symptoms of coronavirus sneezing standing in blooming orchard. Young ill person having flu, running nose and fever standing in spring park. Credit: Adobe Stock. Replay gallery. Pinterest Facebook.

Up Next Cancel. By Amanda MacMillan. Share the Gallery Pinterest Facebook. That's especially true if you have a fever. While a little light stretching may not do any harm, the biggest favor you can do for your bod when you're feeling under the weather is to give it plenty of rest.

You could also exercise outside, but if you suffer from allergies on top of having a cold, working out outside during allergy season will be pretty miserable, she adds. If you want to do an indoor workout somewhere other than home, think twice if you have certain symptoms. Whatever you do, just listen to your body and take it easy. It is the one circumstance in which working out while sick is probably okay, though, as long as you keep it light. Weight Loss. United States.

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