Poll of the Day > Weight lifters: Have you ever lifted while under the weather?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'm trying to hold on to my 4 day schedule, but I've been sick the last few days. I'm feeling better today, but was wondering if I should try to lift or wait until I'm at least 90%.

In my prime, yes but i was 20 then.
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Not a lifter but I do know a bit about health. If you're under the weather, be CAREFUL! While a sniffle probably won't kill you pushing your body when you're not well can have some very bad results. At the least it can make the illness last longer. If you must lift I'd suggest going for 'maintenance' only and try to work out enough to just ensure you won't slip/slip too much (though it sounds like you're on the recovery). However, ultimately, one of the best cures is simply rest and physical exertion is the opposite of that.
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EvilMegas posted...

In my prime, yes but i was 20 then.

Did you died?

Unbridled9 posted...

Not a lifter but I do know a bit about health. If you're under the weather, be CAREFUL! While a sniffle probably won't kill you pushing your body when you're not well can have some very bad results. At the least it can make the illness last longer. If you must lift I'd suggest going for 'maintenance' only and try to work out enough to just ensure you won't slip/slip too much (though it sounds like you're on the recovery). However, ultimately, one of the best cures is simply rest and physical exertion is the opposite of that.

I was thinking that, but I've heard people say they felt better after, so I was trying to see what your experiences were.

Physical workouts can release various chemicals into your body which can help you feel better; especially if it's something you find pleasurable. However it actually MAKING you better is a different matter entirely. Think of it like eating a delicious cheeseburger that happens to have food poisoning. It might taste good and be delicious but there's a good chance you'll feel worse before long.
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Yeah once or twice, its not as hard as you tend to convince yourself its gonna be.
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I'm sick right now and I'm completely abandoning my workout routine. Your body needs the energy to recover. Furthermore, you REALLY want to avoid cardio, because putting even more strain on your lungs while sick may lead to pneumonia.

You're not going to have a noticeable loss of results from skipping a few days to beat a cold/flu.
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My boyfriend does. You can still work out if you want but you may want to just go lighter than usual. Lower weights, less reps, etc.
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Jen0125 posted...

My boyfriend does. You can still work out if you want but you may want to just go lighter than usual. Lower weights, less reps, etc.

Pretty much this. I never miss a workout unless I'm REALLY bad off (like once when I was so sick I couldn't even stand up without vomiting / shitting myself). I'm actually pretty sick today but I'm still probably going to work out. If I don't, I'll just move my workout to tomorrow and skip a rest day.
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Eh, I still do it.
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Unless I'm like bed ridden I'll still go, but like some other people said it will usually make you recover slower.
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Go lighter and don't exert yourself too much.

Yes, but I've never had to reduce my workout weights or reps, lol, it's pretty easy. I still squat like 650 and bench 400 and curl 250.
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