Is it BAD to Workout When You Have a Cold or Flu?
Video taken from the channel: Total Fitness Bodybuilding
Ask the Expert: Working out with the flu
Video taken from the channel: TMJ4 News
Drs. Rx: Should You Workout When You’re Sick?
Video taken from the channel: The Doctors
Should You Train When Sick? (A Scientific Perspective)
Video taken from the channel: Jeff Nippard
Should You Workout When Sick?
Video taken from the channel: PictureFit
How to exercise when you have a cold or virus | Exercise and Asthma advice
Video taken from the channel: Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership
Working Out When Sick (LIFTING WEIGHTS)
Video taken from the channel: ATHLEAN-X™
Physical activity increases your heart rate, but so can some coldmedicines. So a combo of exercise and decongestantscan cause your heartto pump very hard. You may become short of breath and have.The answer depends on what ails you, experts tell WebMD. For example, exercising with a cold may be OK, but if you’ve got a fever, hitting the gym is a definite no-no.
Fever is the limiting facto.Exercise is usually OK if your symptoms are all “above the neck.” These signs and symptoms include those you may have with a common cold, such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing or minor sore throat. Consider reducing the intensity and length of your workout. Instead of going for a run, take a walk, for example.
The Common Cold and Exercise “Research has shown that when someone has a cold virus, in general, it is safe to exercise,” says Leah Mooshil Durs.Applying ice can reduce swelling by reducing the blood flow and metabolic processes that are present during an inflammatory response produced by exercise or an acute injury. Reduces muscle spasm. For similar physiological reasons, decreased muscle spasm and guarding is a benefit of using ice.For symptoms isolated above the neck — think the congestion, sore throat, or sneezing of a common cold — you can continue light or moderate activity.
Try taking a.The severity and symptoms of your cold decide whether you should be exercising or not. If the symptoms are all above the neck, such as a stuffy or runny nose, a sore throat of minor severity or sneezing, exercising will usually be fine. You just need to reduce the intensity of your work-out regime.
If your symptoms are above the neck (sore throat, congestion) moderate exercise is ok. However, you should avoid intense exercise. If your symptoms are below the neck (aches, swollen glands, bad cough), you should skip the workout and rest until your symptoms subside.
Exercising in the cold presents its own safety risks, as it leaves you vulnerable to frostbite and hypothermia. When working out in cold weather, dress in layers that you can remove once you start to sweat and put back on once your body temperature cools.You can safely exercise when the symptoms of your cold are light and tolerable. This is the case when your symptoms only include sneezing, congestion, or throat pain. If the symptoms are light and you otherwise feel fit enough, there’s no problem.
Your cold symptoms might be more severe or intense.If you’re still not sure if exercising with a cold makes sense for you, check with your doctor. Bottom line: Experts stress that you shouldn’t feel obligated to exercise with a cold.
But if you.A general rule of thumb exercising with a cold is usually fine as long as your symptoms are in your head. If you have chest congestion, a fever or body aches you should probably take a rest day.
Another general rule is to listen to your body. Your overall health should come before fitness goals.While exercise, in general, is helpful in many ways, overdoing it can both increase your risk of developing a cold and interfere with your recovery when you do get ill. Strenuous exercise should be avoided with a cold until all of your symptoms have resolved. For mild colds, mild to moderate exercise is probably OK.
“Exercise is medicine. If you have symptoms above the neck, things like runny nose, sneezing, of the common cold, such as nasal congestion or runny nose, or minor sore throat, you’re OK to exercise,” says Dr. Montero. ” Exercise may even help you feel better by opening up your nasal passages, for instance.
Does that mean that you need to sit at home? No way. My favorite ways to exercise with a cold: Go outside for a heart-pumping walk or easy jog.
Do an online yoga class in your living room. Bounce on your trampoline in the backyard. Take your bike out for a spin. Keep up your usual healthy eating habits and add more fluids to help flush the congestion from your nose.
These low-intensity workouts will.
List of related literature:
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| from Exercise Is Medicine: How Physical Activity Boosts Health and Slows Aging |
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| from The Well-Built Triathlete: Turning Potential into Performance |
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| from The Doctor Is In: 7 Easy, Positive Steps to Take Right Now to Transform Your Health |
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| from The Cyclist’s Training Bible |
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| from Applied Exercise and Sport Physiology, With Labs |
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| from User’s Guide to Nutritional Supplements |
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| from Sports Science Handbook: I-Z |
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| from Critical Thinking for Business Students |
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| from NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training |
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| from The One One One Diet: The Simple 1:1:1 Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss |
246 comments
Just don’t dead-lift with Gastroenteritis. Trust me its not worth it.
Do a video on working out when you have seasonal pollen allergies. I was on a really good track but it’s been impossible to do cardio, lift, etc when I’m sneezing and can’t breath well. Taking a pill doesn’t help much either because it makes me drowsy.
What if you are having nausea or diarrhoea should you work out then?
Jeff is absolutely right, but now I’m going to tell you the LIFEHACK №1 that works every time (at least for me). When I’m sick (cold, flu, etc.) I pick 2 days when i’m not at work and do the following ritual: day 1 sleep untill about noon, after I wake up I don’t do absolutely nothing that requires fisical efford just stay in bed or on a chair and EAT and REST through the entyre day, then in the evening I take my preworkout shake and TRAIN like there is no tomorrow NO MATTER how sick I feel ( I mean even your nails should sweat ) and train untill I’m about to blackout, after that I make some tea and add a little hard alcohol in the glass, but every time I drink ( after every sip) I refill the mixture with alcohol and this continues untill there is no more tea, when that happens I drink everything that is left at once and immediatelly go to sleep before the alcohol kicks in. In the morning there is no trace of sickness. The logic is that either I’m going to survive this or not, but the virus will not survive it for sure, there is no room for both of us in my body. I think this could help even againts the COVID.
So basically if you feel like your dying don’t go to the gym but if your no pussy hit the gym and hit it hard, aight thanks coach
Bailed out on a 100k bike ride tomorrow as know it’s going to demanding.
Can feel increased heart rate with moderate exercise so know it’s right decision.
Human immune response is somewhat suppressed during vigorous exercise, so any working out during illness is completely idiotic and is a fast way to rapidly spread disease in a public gym. If coronavirus spreads, a gym will be a hotbed for it since there are so many dumb jocks who think working out during illness makes it better. And remember, just because you are sick with one virus doesn’t make you immune to another. The best way to get multiple viruses, and increase your chance for mortality, is to go to a public gym thinking working out will make your cold or flu go away faster. And you put everyone else at risk. Stupid for you, stupid for everyone else.
Hello, I’ve been feeling like crap lately with stuffy nose, terrible sore throat and dealing with my 3 year old’s old!!! I’m in a 90 day transformation challenge..and Ive notice that I feel even worst as I’m trying to warm up. Thank you so much for your advice, Ive waited this long to build these pounds and not do NOTHING to change 4 years ago, I’m sure my body can wait until I fully recover.☺
Thank you SOOO MUCH for this video!!! I’ve been going HARD with my weight training the past few months and I JUST got sick and it’s seriously messing with my head!! I feel so down because I want to be in the gym so damn bad!! I appreciate this video and your advice and insight. Much love! ������������������������‼️
I have corona, and worked out for a week straight, I still feel like shit, but them gains still increasing.
Good points. If you can’t stand long enough to take a shower, chances are you’re entirely too sick for the gym 😉
There’s some gnarly flu going around at the moment and I’ve been off the gym for nearly 3 weeks now. Depressing AF!
I started getting the flu so I did pushups until failure to rid my body of this evil and wound up shiting myself. This might not sound ideal but I could feel all kinda gains in my draws man
Great advice lee, I’ve had a cold all week but I’ve still been working out, it does make you feel better after a workout but a few hours later it comes back:(.
Definitely one of the best workout channels on YouTube!! ����
What if i just have a slight cough and sore throat, but energy levels are good? Should i still workout
It’s crazy because I hadn’t had a workout for a week and I’ve been feeling fatter just sleeping in my bed and I have to go to work and I like eating bone broth and my appetite actually increases when I have a fever lol. Right now I’m post recovery from a flu but I’m hitting the gym today as this video plays.
I have had some great workouts when I actually had a slight fever.
Fantastic Video! So many of my questions answered in 4 minutes. TYVM for making this!
Glad I found this video. I’m sick with Bronchitis that nearly turned into Pneumonia. Only thing that’s helped besides the basics of eating well and taking the meds has been rest. Yes, it’s been upsetting and good both. I’ve maintained my weight and haven’t gained. I’m starting to see abs, and less visceral fat. I had some cheat eats on Thanksgiving day, but didn’t destroy myself due to being in a caloric deficit from being miserable. Before getting sick, I was plateauing with grip strength, progressively overloading, and weight loss. I’ve turned it in the opportunity to deload, and let the physical changes I’m seeing be the pay out to fight harder when I get well. Let the positives become a payout for wanting to improve and do better if injury or illness cause a time out. I will say I sometimes wish I could turn the dial back to being a teenager when it comes to fitness. Seemed like I had less Consequences back then with food, rest, and illnesses.
Thanks, i got two week under some hard flu, so i’ ll rest until heal my body thats the best advise you gave me, this morning when i woke up i couldnt even walk, so thanks so much.
I will totally agree u have to give urself time for ur body to get back together
I couldnt go to work because i was sick but i still wanna hit the gym.
I’m glad I don’t have to workout because I’m sick. Perfect excuse for me.
Thanks!
Me on a sick day: how to workout even when you’re sick
Me on a normal day: what to cook for dinner
Who’s watching this video in October 2019 because of the weather change ��
What is your advice on swollen lymph nodes due to fighting off the beginnings of an ear infection? Workout or no?
I just found out that if you have chest congestion it is not a good idea to exercise. I a few days ago I ride my bicycle 116 miles in one day. Since then I caught a cold and tried to take my bike out for a spin and got extremely winded and started sweating profusely….and this is less than a mile out. I turned around and came home.
Thanks brother you dominated my question I’ve been asking the internet for. No procrastination or dumb answer just straight to the facts. Insta-sub!
Jeff you never made this video again since 2015 and it’s 2019 now. Does this mean you have not been sick for the past four years?
I’m trying to follow the neck rule. Monday & Tuesday (yesterday & the day before) i was super sick. Fatigued, body aches, chills, fever, headache. Skipped the gym. Today i was tired, headache, nasal issues. Skipped the gym. I’m HOPING to feel better tomorrow (obviously) but when should I go back? Tomorrow? The next day? A week from now?
Who else is sick and typed “working out when sick” and clicked on this video ��
as a us marine hes full of as he says crap sick hurt sore tired there is never an excuse to stop training PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY G.O.M.L.
I got a cold last week… felt bad a few days… then woke up day 3 DEAD… spent 48 hours on the couch in really bad shape.. fever, cough, runny nose etc…. felt fine 48 hours later…. went and did a hard workout last night and now I feel sick af again….
I’m gonna go for a light jog… wish me luck!
You search this on google and get so many mixed answers. Of course I should have looked to Jeff first.
Today is the 1st day I do not have a sore throat in 8 days. Can I work out directly today or should I rest?
Momma ain’t raised no bitch, the only time you stop working out is when your dead
I just had the worst chest/tri workout today..a fever was building up.My head hurts like hell rn and i feel like vomiting.Barley even ate today,hopefully i get better because i feel like shit rn,and i HATE missing out a day at the gym.
I just want to get better been sick for three days and not working out makes me feel even worse
You put this perfectly, rest and recover.
When ism sick(now as it happens) really focus on nutritional intake.
watching this while not been at the gym for 1 week it feels to long man����
The scientific references link to the studies used in your sex video.
I was as the gym a couple of days ago, and i managed to touch my tongue With my finger, and at that moment i knew i had fucked up.
Next day, and i had a splitting headache, a Fever and threw up like crazy.
2 days later, and im not throwing up anymore, and eating again. So i thought i could hit the gym. When i got there, i had lots of energy in my head, but my body was tired.
I did some pushups to warm up, and after 10, i felt light headed, weak and tired.
I’ll just stay in bed for a couple of days i Guess…
Ever since I got sick I have been less like less appetite. I feel like I have been eating less. Is that normal?
I traveled over seas for 11 days and only did 2 workouts while i was away and was planning to get right back into it, then got sick the day I got back. I lost 3.5 kg in 3 days today I plan to get my gains back��
I was sick two weeks ago for 2 weeks, then went to school for 2 weeks, then i hitted gym twice and now im sick again. Fuck me.
Hey great stuff! can you give advice on good rotator cuff exercises? or ways to help recover an injured rotator cuff? thank you:-)
I threw up my entire rx2 shake on the captains chair wtf help
I’m wanting to start the athlean program but my stomach is acting horrible and I’m like crap but if I workout I’m gonna crap. I might have to do half of week 1 then do the full week the following week.
I find working out when ill just will make you sicker. Take a couple days off and get well. You could end up sicker if you don’t.
I hit my head first week had to rest half of it, second week got sick whole week iver Been so unlucky, i had just achieved so much at the gym and hit many of my goals and ofc this happens
I wish there was a winter workout when you can’t go outside. I live in Minnesota and it’s cold 6 months a year. ��
Probably the only video where Jeff doesn’t talk of Balanced Muscle gain. ��
Great Video, Jeff. Useful to hear those who are already feeling guilty about missing workouts/ for falling sick (like me).
A cold means you should stay home and work out instead of spreading it at the gym.
I got sick because I did not have enough rest or sleep well and it was from workout I am sure…
Dude thanks for educating us. I used to work in a gym and hated when people would be coming in sick, wiping their nose and shit with their hands then touching every piece of equipment. STAY YO ASS HOME!
Have to say i watching this became i am ill lol. And i no i am not going be the 1st or i am not going be the last.
I think if you are sick and contagious you should not go to a public gym.
Does workout helps in getting rid of fever https://youtu.be/BB7xjZ942n0
Yeah I did that thinking i was starting to get better… Then my fever rose up
damn I’m sick in summer and all that is my mistake. i wanna workout but all my body broken and also I’ve a headache, oh god i can’t get used to this TT
Is it okay to take a break while you have a sinus infection that makes you light headed and dizzy?
I have an ear infection and run 30 mins a day and aim to walk 10000 steps a day. I’m overweight so am just doing the walk, I really dont want to reduce my training as m ed health is already affected by the weight I gained.
Dang, I’m sick during a 2 week challenge…uhhgh…..but.. resting all day.
This corona virus �� wants me to stay in but I wanna go jog and get fresh air
I am sick today. But regardless of everything, I went for gym this
Gyms are gross to begin with. Don’t go to the gym if you’re sick. Workout at home and be considerate to others
If your sick stay your ass home don’t spread your germs to others.
Trying to show this to my parents to let me stay home from sports
Shit, i have been training for almost three months. After being almost anorexic. I am so afraid of losing all i have been working on
What a great advice! Thank you very much I really appreciate it! Big like!
I’m working out rn while sick it fucking sucks head hot coughing mucas sore throat(little) really sucks but I’m about to finish and it really will make you happy to sleep
This video was perfect just what I needed to stop myself from going over the top
A bit hard when nasal congestion makes it harder to breath properly
how about the diet? i recently got sick. And i just can’t handle those brown rice, chicken, eggs, and those steamed veggies while i’m on a recovery…
LOL
I had a cold a few years ago and i was like… NO, IM NOT THIS WEAK and I did a few pushups and blacked out lmao
No one has made a video on dieting when sickplease be the first
I do not recommend working out when sick because you can cause damage to your heart
When I workout while I have fever, it disappears momentarily
The like to dislike ratio is impressively humbling. However, I still can’t understand why anyone would dislike this kind of content.
This vid was perfect with all the questions I had..thank you!
I have P.E and i am sick but i still have to go to school so idk what to do i am trying to get well before school (tomorrow)
Got a blooming cold right now, feeling miserable and so tired. Left work early because of it. Definitely no gym today. Drinking green tea with lemon and honey. Let’s see how I feel tomorrow. This guy is spot on, btw. Thanks for making me feel better about this dude.
i did light cardio and it did wonders, i feel massively better
Needed this today, hit a PR on the bench yesterday got watery diarrhoea, fever & nausea today. Irrationally paranoid about the strength disappearing. Trying to get some protein in though.
Just getting over a bad cold (sniffles, cough, sore throat…slight fever) and still managed to hit a PR shoulder press (170lbs for 10 reps) yesterday
I’ve had Covid 19 since July 3rd now, and I want to do something to at least stay a little fit while I’m in quarantine. But truth be told that I don’t know much exercises if any that I’m able to do since some of my symptoms are below the neck.
Fucking chest congestion I can barely even breath after finishing a set
From my point of view no matter of having just a little cold or whatever, doing cardio is a thing that you NEVER should do when you are sick. By cardio I mean going to football/soccer/basketball training where your heart rate goes up
How about wait until you feel better so you dont get other people sick. I had a dude cough right in my face area from the machine in front of me facing me with both his hands on the bench press machine…..I looked at him like wtf.
See that what’s going annoyed me. I like to do long and intense workouts.
I noticed that “the two Jeffs” have given the best advice. Jeff Nippard here and Jeff Cavelier’s video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_en6zpkP_s
If anyone wants to get rid of fever, take a warm bath! Not cold cause that’ll make you sicker! And drink a lot of water and take a few naps!!
Thank you so much for this video. Its helped me make a good decision. Unfortunately, I’m sick above and below the neck… so… this really sucks for me. I only just started training like a month ago and I am actually upset that I have to miss out at the gym. I really do love going.
When you ok you might exsersize when you sick you may sleep why��
I was gonna go to the sauna to sweat it out but instead I masturbated under my blanket.
I was sick: my throat was sore my nose was closed(i would breathe with mouth which would hurt my throat) and i was on my period.
I started my 30 day HIIT challenge and now it is day 9 and i feel Amazing: my physical health increased and i didn’t really do anything less on those days. I found hard to do some like jumping high knees etc cause of breath was a struggle. But i pushed through it now I am better than ever.
When your body struggles with virus, show it how strong you are
I once felt a bit bad because of a cold but nothing major. Went to the gym anyway and felt absolutely drained.
I have flu and a bad sore throat and cough. Went to workout today and could barely hold a front lever and could only do max 6 pull ups
Michael Jordan played a championship game and won as the mvp all while he had fever or flu I believe
If you’re sick you shouldt go to the gym it destroys your cells while your body wont work on them
Take time off and get well. You won’t loose gains and may actually come back stronger. Your body gets stronger when it rests. If you train when sick you will draw the infection further into your lungs and end up with pneumonia. Focus on nutrition.
Heavy sore throat, fever, upset stomach, chest congestion… Got it. Well this sucks. I hit all but one. Great.
Hi lee iv been off for 6days as iv come down with cold and ear infection I fill like iv lost my build. Im not very happy with myself.
Came here before 4am because my head is pounding and this dude called my headache something little and minor ��
Good video from the beginning I liked that you didn’t just say yes or no but when we should while being sick and when we shouldn’t while being sick��������
im sick as shit and have been piggin out these last 2 days. Will be skipping a few gym days but will definitely clean up the diet.
I’ve gone in sicj with a face mask and hand sanitizer. I’ve also had experience holding in coughs and sneezes ubder extreme physical stress for work purposes so I felt I did what i could to prevent infection
have chest infection and did 1 jumping jack and literally almost passed out, so yeah, ill take a few days off! ��
Do cardio being sick means your body uses a lot more calories than usually. Take the time to do a mini cut.
I’m sooo angry
Missed 2 days of school this week and on Friday my gym teacher makes you workout extra hard while the rest of the class plays on their phones if you missed a day that week or if you lost points and basically tomorrow I’m gonna have to workout and I’m still really sick but my mom is making me go I have a really sore throat, have asthma, and have been having really bad abdominal pain this past 2 weeks but no, my gym teacher is gonna make me run and if i try to argue/convince him I have to do an extra workout next week too
I am outraged
This just makes me want to show this to him
Once I was sick and we had gym, but I couldn’t excuse myself for being sick because the gym teachers didn’t believe me, so mid workout I fainted.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and I woke up to the gym teacher staring down at me and the first words he said we’re “get up, push through it.”
smh
When I’m sick I wait a day or 2 too see if I’m better. Then hit the gym.
From my point of view no matter of having just a little cold or whatever, doing cardio is a thing that you NEVER should do when you are sick
Some nasty girl in my class was sneezing all over me a couple of days ago know im sick and feel like crap im wondering if I should work out our stay at home
Thanks for the advice, I really needed that 😉 now I can go train:D
I always take a break. It’s not going to kill your gains. Life is about expansion and contraction. You need moments of rest (contraction) to expand again. Natural cycle of life.
Tried to read the references in description, its all related to premature ejaculation?
short: moderate 20-40 min training will stimulating immune system hard training make it worse
I did this on Tuesday… I felt good while training and had strenght.
My cold overall doesn’t seem so bad…
Nevertheless over night and next day I was absolutely destroyed.
It all stucked in my head/nose.
2 days later its better again.
Next time only a bit cardio I guess…
Being sick with one virus does not make you immune to other viruses. You can get multiple viruses with compounding pathogenicity. And vigorous exercise temporarily suppresses the immune response. The immune response is greatest when you are resting. WHO cares if you lose a little muscle mass. Exercising while sick not only thrusts you into additional potential exposures to disease, but also makes you more vulnerable to new pathogens, and likely prolongs the course of your current disease.
Man I’ve been I’ll for 2 weeks done legs yesterday and now I’m officially Dead
I always appreciate Jeff’s videos! I’m curious what Jeff would say about myocarditis, a serious heart condition that is usually associated with athletes working out while sick. It is caused by infection due to common colds getting pushed between heart valves during the workout causing inflammation. It seems to me that although this is rare, the cost vs benefit would indicate that waiting until well would be best since muscle loss isn’t significant and the risk of myocarditis goes down. There are plenty of scholarly articles and scientific studies for myocarditis related to athletes (side note: a friend of mine lost their 18 year old brother to this after playing basketball sick) but I posted an easier read below that interviews cardiologist Dr Hildebrandt. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.dw.com/en/when-sports-are-bad-and-threaten-the-heart/a-16309687
I have the maddest chesty cough and headache rn. Just got back from the gym, didn’t even go too hard and now I instantly regret it��
Not a chance once you can’t eat for a few days amd get your protien in you will lose muscle. I did lose some water then muscle.
If people can still eat completely then you are not sick. If people have a hard time eating then you are sick.
Honestly what the fuck, ofc don’t train when sick?? It’s not an excuse, it’s a health hazard
Thank you soooooo much you just solved my puzzle. i have missed running in the past few days and have been feeling awfully guilty. now i know what to do
Did anyone else notice that all the citations link to studies on sexual dysfunction?
I feel like I watch this viedeo everytime I am sick again again and again hahaha
I ignored my sore throat for weeks and trained six times per week (4 x resistance training and 2x hiit running). Then I got a severe cold with a high fever. It might just be a coincidence, but next time i will not ignore an illness. Is there any empirical evidence for the “above the neck”-rule?
Great video! Myself, I always stay home and let myself rest!…..and the other thing that nobody has mentioned is the “courtesy” to our other fellow gym goers! How selfish is it to go to the gym spreading all those germs to people who aint sick:/ just because we selfishly dont wanna miss our workout! Drives me nuts when I see that!
For me i go for abs and calves and those small muscles while I’m sick
Thank you Jeff Cavalier!
Its like you know the answers that are on my head that I dont think about.
Thanx for reassuring me about detraining as I’ve worried about that a lot. Thanks Jeff
Iam just getting over pneumonia. Been ill as death for like two weeks hardly eat a thing looking flat and devastated. Still chesty and breathless so I will take your advice and wait couple more days arghhhhh
Went back to the gym after 2 months of no workout, I got fever the next morning. Rested for 2 days as per my body’s insticnt. Listen to your body.
This piggybacks off of Lee’s advise on stressing your nervous system I believe.
Common sense, just listen to your body…. skipping a workout or two will not set you back. That being said, if you feel the need to workout anyway, go for a walk, be out in the open, with the fresh air, don’t go around people if you can help it, basic courtesy…..
Hey Jeff, thanks for the info, informative as always, good advice about doing a bit of cardio to test the viability of notions to workout. Hey you might want to check your “Scientific References” section, the links don’t appear to be applicable to this video, informative but… heads up!
I’m sick now and tying to decide to go or not. Every time I go when suck my numbers suffer and I get demotivated
Thanks jeff helps doing the athlean program so i got a fever smh anyways ig ill get back at it in a day or 2
For some reason the scientific article links all refer to the premature ejaculation subject and not sickness? Thanks!
I was sick and stopped working out, but when I got better and tried a light workout I got a sore throat again. I gave it a few days and felt better and when I worked out I got a sore throat again!!!?!?! Ive gone through this cycle four times now and it never fails, Work out, sore throat!?!?! What is up with this?
That’s a great video. Now I know, that I can lay in bed for 3 weeks and just write music:D Thank you!
Getting over a wicked cold but really want too gon for a run and work out
I cant. I get sicker when I weight lift and the sickness last longer
Well the bit about sweating out your cold/flu seems quite unreasonable considering that glands produce sweat, it’s not as if it comes straight outta the infected areas/blood. I have, though, noticed that with some light lifting while sick, I feel much better shortly after the workout
Even though I am sick, I can’t do hollow body hold in the bed.
I feel like I lose actual size because I lose my appetite and be lucky to eat one meal a day compared to my usual 4k cals. Would you say the loss is minimal even if not hitting anywhere near maintenance calories?
I left to go to the gym with the grey area sickness today but I was feeling foggy in my head and had a black iced coffee on my way to wake me up but I did what you said and just tried to do something first and really only felt more foggy and wished I was in bed. Ah well. We’ll get back after I rest up
well once when i did cardio i had a headache so sometimes u can just skip the aerobic i guess
I have soccer practice today and my through feels dry when I swallow and my body just doesn’t fell right
I did go to the gym with a light coughing. Now Im Sick af and tied to fing bed
If it’s viral: fever, lungs filled with fluid, hurts to breathe, every joint in your body hurts etc then stay at home.
If you just have a cold then go to the gym and run it off
For those who want to workout sick (contagious) do it away from others
Exactly what I needed to hear. I’m going back under the covers
I’m sick at this present moment and thought should I go to the gym or not what would Jeff Nippard do? Hmmm maybe he has an video about it nah don’t be silly he will not have… oh Jeff you’re my hero!
my stomach upset and i vomited twice yesterday now this morning i am confused that i should go to gym or dont��
This is very sound advice, which I had to learn myself the hard way.
When ur body is tired or not well I try to think of it as the fat man inside me dying,…and that keeps me motivated!
i have lost about 4 kgs in a week from the flu. I look disgusting with my shirt off, a week ago i looked brilliant.
I just started working out consistently about 2 months ago. Got sick for a week and lost 2 lbs of muscle:(
i have pain in my neck like shit i cannot even drink water because is painful. I don’t have fever or something just a little pressure on my head and a little dizzy.Should I go to the gym? Today I am going to the doctor.I forgot to mention i cannot eat enough because when I am sick i am not hungry and I eat just a little.I will lose muscle if I don’t go to the gym and I eat lower cantity of food for like a week?
Surprised there aren’t more views on this video. It’s that time of year again, and this was just what I needed to convince myself to just stay home and kick back. Thanks Lee
Hygiene is never available at the gym. Ive seen guys piss then walk out w/o washing hands. Keep your hands away from your face!
I literally just have a bad cough but the cold I just overcame had me out of the gym for a week. Should I still go while I have my cough or should I wait it out until all is well?
Not so sure about the above the neck rule. Migraine can be a b*tch
I don’t think the scientific references are right…. they all seem to reference something very unrelated to training when sick.
I watched the video because I contracted a sickness very out of the blue which started as a sore throat and now after a week I still have a bad cough, and my chest hurts from the coughing. Really not feeling like dying at the gym.
I was sick as a dog with the flu last winter. Felt like even my skin ached. Felt like garbage.
Got tired of it and moved all my weights outside in the driveway in below freezing. Pants, boots, hoodie and all. Worked out hard as shit for a good 2 hours full body.
Forced myself to eat and drink then passed out and woke up completely fine the next morning. No sign of illness. Just more soreness then usual.
Hello Jeff, I had watched this video when you first uploaded but now coming back at it again and checking the links, it seems the links are for your ejaculation video not this one. All the links are about sex drive and ejaculation:p
I need to train with my asthma and that is okay but hard. but now with flu I can’t ������
Great advice, I’m gonna give myself a rest and get back into my routine when I get better
I currently have stuffy nose and cough..
it’s been 4 days since I last workout..
my body wants to sweat dahmmit..
I’m eating right tho well, actually more than the usual.
Symptoms above the neck also can’t do the work out. If you sweat from head then you increase your sneeze into severe fever
Is there evidence that suggests that the apparent muscle loss after three weeks of not training is due to glycogen loss? What makes you think that?
If you are sick but normally you eat in a calorie deficit, should you keep your calories the same or should you raise them??
Next video: how to properly cough without internally rotating the shoulder
You have football practice every day and I have a cold right know. I am mostly felling aches, it’s been very hard to bend my knees. Also, my energy depletes extremely quickly. Last, I’ve been very tired. I know that I should play, should I?
If you work out an your sick,stay home. An not infect the other gym customer’s. It’s courtesy issue.
great video jeff, maybe for a myth bust Monday you could look at a related subject….whether the “man-cold” has any truth to it. I think its true that men get colds worse, but that’s just an opinion/guess as I’m not qualified on the subject. I’d love to see what the scientific evidence says!
If you see this comment jeff do you have any advice on exercise with ulcers? I stopped weight training because my immune system cant fight in my belly after a workout, like my ulcer sypmtoms get worse the morning after. I have changed my diet after getting very sick. Do you have links to research about this?
Just stay home and do nothing even if it’s minor else it will put you back a week
He gave no real good information. He just spewed out some gym bro B.S. That under the neck rule is old af. People please don’t get your health information from a television doctor who tells you to train naked.
That black girl was gorgeous… is she a doctor? Anyway… I guess I need to go to the gym then, with my runny nose
I’ve got a blooming cold now and I feel fatigued. Going to the gym wouldn’t be smart. Left work early because of it. No real appetite either. No gym today.
I have the chills and aches. But, I had popeyes earlier. So it looks like in sweating tonight.
I’ve found that if I workout in the gym whilst I’m sick, even with a cold, then I become worse.
You assholes are the reason im sick now. Stay your sick ass the fuck home. Oh and wipe down your fucking machines you gross fucks.
Don’t y’all come to the gym ���� that’s why we all have the flu now. plus y’all don’t want to vaccinate…..stay at home please
Watching this sick above the neck doing incline treadmill ��Good tips man
If someone has the flu and is on Tamaflu, rest. Someone has strep throat, and is on antibiotics, rest. Someone has Bronchitis or Pneumonia and symptoms such as fever, wet cough, fatigue, dizziness, headache, sneezing, phlegm factory, rest. Don’t screw off nutrition, illness ain’t a warrant to eat like shit.
I’m sick:/ and my whole body is sore. I guess I’ll sit out this year guys.
This guy was benching just over 400lbs the other day. These 2 younger guys was saying how sick the guy was benching. I thought how was he benching so much if he was sick. Then I found out sick means cool. ��♂️
After getting over a cold a few hours later, I went to the gym. I noticed I had the least energy and couldn’t do anything In repetition. After a few minutes i stop and took a hot shower. I began to feel faint. everything fading to black, just a small blurry circle I could see through. I put my swimming shorts on and left the shower using the wall to support me walking. I felt like I couldn’t breathe as much. And it felt like I was about to drop to the floor. I knew I needed to get somewhere cold. I noticed a small area near the pool entry door. A corner with a vent and ac coming out. I sat down to the floor back against the wall and leaned my head closer to the vent onto wall eyes closed. After like 5mins of relaxing. Two people was in front of me stooping down asking me if I had fell down and was I okay, did I need water. I was happy my vision came back. A few more people rush over one on a cell phone letting me know he already called the ambulance. I’m like I’m okay everyone I got a bit dizzy and needed a cool place to sit. I just got over a bad cold a few hours ago and thought I could workout. My bad. I got up on my own and eventually went back home. It is not the best idea to go to gym if you have a cold…I am thankful some good people were around and took notice.
As someone who’s tried to tough out a workout when sick, I highly recommend against that. Weights were down, couldn’t do the weights I usually do, overall a bad experience.
Rest. You are not going to lose muscles in just 2-3weeks if you built them over the years.
Love it!! A naked workout. Then an ice chilled bath. Followed by drying off and getting right back into bed, which now I have to have energy to slide Emma, my Weimaraner, over. She’s 150 lbs, and I’m to sick to slide her over so I just take the itty bitty space next to her. ����♀️������
Eating really depends if it’s a viral or bacterial but still it prolongs your illness when you are increasing your glucose, the cells will manufacture more of the replicated virus. I wouldn’t eat much other than soups and water or better to just do fasting so the virus dies and doesn’t get the chance to replicate. There’s also a reason why your body is telling you not to eat.
the strength training losses are real. im running the texas method right now and before getting sick i was doing 205lbs 5×5 on the squat. one week off being sick and i could barely get my reps in with 185lbs. i expect to bounce back quick, but the flu really kicked my ass this year.
I’m sick AF and glad to here you say all this… I was concerned
Thanx Jeff. ������
Unless you are like a pro bodybuilder or athlete and absolutely need to stay on track I would recommend taking a day or two off even if you have a cold. Or just go for a walk or something. Who feels like doing intense exercise when you are sick and feel like shit.
Woman on 0:51 seconds, i love your makeup and you’re gorgeous! lol currently sick and trying to go to the gym
THANK YOU! I have the flu and knew it was time for a break while I recover, but wanted some advice on how to proceed this video is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you thank you thank you.
Don’t go to the Gym with the flue, stay at home and workout in the living room.
Broettes huh? Yeah that’s fair, though I never heard that term before.
I wouldn’t normally miss the gym because of man flu, but after the 5th round of it this year, this time I thought to take a few days off. Maybe my body is trying to tell me something!
What if you just eat more high calorie, nutrient dense foods?
I went to the gym while I’m sick, didnt worm up properly coz I wasn’t breathing like normal. Did some squats and back workout That caused Sciatica, now I have big problem!!! There’s only two options only,
it takes many years to get better or operation,
Now I can’t lift heavy weight:((
Plz plz plz do not go the gym when you are sick!!!
The big dilemma for lifters, bodybuilders is can I take time off without losing everything?! I’ve had the worst series of bad-luck illnesses past 3 months and after being in best shape of life, hitting PB’s, got myself a hernia. From there. post op I got an infection in wound, then endless colds and viruses. Long story short, I have repeatedly gone back to gym too early. Each time I’m feeling great, hit the weights, then come down with another virus a few days later. It’s all linked. The workout hits my struggling immune system and something has to give. Your body can’t fight a viral infection and deal with the stress of rebuilding muscle. Advice based on personal experience: look at the bigger picture. If you do this workout while sick, will you be in a better place in next week or worse? Michael Douglas, the actor said: ‘If you’re sick, try to enjoy it.’ Rest, like the big man here says.
I’ve been sick for a week and a half and I’m so annoyed because I want to workout. I hate resting the whole freacking day ��
Thanks excellent advice. I’m scared that I will get more sick if I workout/jog. I gain fat when Im sick or have cold. How can I avoid gaining weight when I’m sick
Thank you I was feeling really guilty about not working out while being sick for awhile this helped a lot
So a few weeks ago i had a bit of a cold but i just couldn’t keep my self from hitting the gym so i went and at the end of my workout breathing in was kinda uncomfortable.
The next day i had a 39C fewer thats 102 degrees fahrenheit.
Not gonna do that mistake again.��
Im currently dying on the bed from the flu. Coughing my lungs out. If my nose aint leaking, its blocked as hell. Aches everywhere. Ahhhh
Hey Jeff! Love your videos could you possibly do a video on water fasting for fat loss and muscle retention/ muscle loss/gain during the fast?
happy to hear the answer fast I enjoyed watching the video with out waiting for the answer.
“if you just got a sniffle or something you can probably work out anywhays” sigh i came here hoping i wouldn’t have to work out bc of my lil sniffle
I was going beast mode during summer at the gym. Went back to school looking buff and strong. 2 weeks later; BAM! I get sick and everything I have built collapsed to shit. And as I type this I am still sick, my gains faded. I eat as much as I can to regain it back, but as the hours go by i feel smaller and weaker. Fml.
Wow a YouTube fitness channel where the guy doesn’t swear and curse. God bless you
absolutely sound advice fella! i listen to what my body is telling me. rest, recover and get strong then go back to it!
Last month, I was feeling quite iffy one day, went to workout and then felt dizzy afterwords. Made it home and then passed out for an hour. Felt hot and shivery. I took my temperature and I had a fever of 100.5. Slept the rest of the night. Bottom line: not worth it although when I have a cold or even a low grade fever (between 99.5 and 100), I do workout at normal intensity and have no issues.
I’ve been sick for months now i get extreme stomach pains and I can no longer eat dairy those are rules I’ve made for myself because every appointment I make with a doctor leads nowhere or provides little help but as far as I know I believe it’s dairy that suddenly my body no longer tolerates I also no longer feel the need to eat because when I do I feel pain and this is with everything I’m going to the ER soon to check it I have an infection in my intestines or something I suffer everyday but I still work out everyday I feel like I’ve had no choice I’m barley eating leading to weight loss and I just want to be healthy again and I just want to know what’s ruining everything I guess I’ll tone down my workouts and I been getting protein bars and things to help my muscles I weigh as much as the average woman now 150 lbs I’m 6ft and used to be 180 somtimes 200 it was jump around there I’m just looking for direction if any of you were in my shoes what should you do
Nice to see advice for once, not just people tryin to make money,thanks!
I feel something coming on. Like my body feeling cold inside, my throat feeling clogged and nose blocked and constant sneezing. But it’s been one day feeling it. I’m in the gym currently now I just feel weak lifting weights but pushing through it
Thanks man! That was really good and helping info. God bless!
high intensity training needs to be avoided even during light sickness. it puts extra stress on the immune system and therefore weakens it. there have been cases reported of people getting lifelong heart disfunction after putting to much stress on there bodies during sickness. keep that in mind.
edit: their*
I still get good workouts when I’m sick…but i have a home gym, so the stress situation is probably different for me than most people. Something Lee didnt touch on is that the muscle repair system is tightly linked to the immune response that combats sickness, so your soreness might be increased the next day. Definitely over-supplement with vitamin C for a few days and lift as slowly and stress-free as possible. Take it easy and “enjoy it” is the best advice. Don’t go for any PRs.
Great answer. Thank you sir.
I have just allowed the flu to catch me, and it is not great but I try not to let it get completely.
Just to add (if I am correct). If you are going take a break from workout just make sure you eat healthy, just because you do not workout does not mean you completely lose it.
The main thing to think about is consider other people. The gym is just one big petrie dish as it is, so it is not very kind to take your cold there and infect other people. Once the infective time is over then of course you can go back but PLEASE stay away while infectious. The same applies to work, stay away if possible. Studies show that more work days are lost by people taking their colds to work and spreading them around their colleagues than if they stayed home.
If you’re sick but if it doesn’t stop you from working out. Workout at home, because if you go to the gym chances are that you’re gonna spread around what you have. So please think of others and not just yourself. I will do the same when sick.
no, you should not go to the gym when sick… and make other ppl sick… no… dont ever do that…
you should work out… no problem… just do calisthenics at home or whatever you got around
It’s very interesting we haven’t found any real solution to the common cold. I have a very strong immune system but when it comes to the cold it’s comes out of nowhere. A cold is annoying with the runny nose and itchy throat in the beginning lol
Haha, very true. I am not feeling great so, decided to watch this video. Taking off 4 to 5 days is not bad. I just wonder if I still eat the same amount of calories while I’m working on says that I am sick will make me gain body fat?
I LIVE IN CANADA SO I KNOW THAT PEOPLE USUALLY HAVE A COLD/FLU ONCE A YEAR. I HAVENT’T BEEN SICK IN 4 YEARS BECAUSE I GO THE THE SAUNA. THIS IS A 100% WAY FOR ME!! TRY IT NEXT TIME YOU FEEL A BIT SICK: GO TO THE SAUNA BEFORE IT GETS BIG. YOU’LL KILL IT
Hey Lee thanks for the great advice, what are your thoughts on training while having anxiety? Have recently quit smoking marijuana after 15 years of heavy use and suffering with bad anxiety n depression. Have a hard time eating and sleeping, losing strength and size quick causing even more depression. I realize you may not have experience in this area and hope nobody ever do, just wondering if you can give me some advice on this in theoretic sense.. as if to put yourself in my shoes, i know there a medications for such things but against pills, not going back to marijuana.. you think l should stop training for a while or push on like i am
Back in college one day, I went to my springboard diving class and told the coach (Michigan State’s esteemed Charles McCaffree, whom the pool is now named after) that I had a cold so I didn’t think I should go in the water. His mocking response: “Oooo, he has a cold, so he can’t go in the water.” I spent the next hour diving. Old school.
I’ve been on and off in the gym for about a year and a half now, and without a bit of exaggeration, I get sick right after I start back up in the gym. I always thought it was just a random coincidence, but it’s happened too often… After watching this video I would guess that there’s a link between my immune system & working out? I don’t know what to do… I always lose my progress because I take 2 weeks off after being sick like a dog. Vitamins? Immune boosters?
Funny thing the only time i lost fat and saw veins was when i got sick
Working out while sick almost killed me….ended up in hospital
Good advice! Having recently been sick myself and I can only agree with all you say. I usually keep it simple when asked about this: fever or sore throat? then don’t workout. sniffles? sure, do workout, but keep it on the light side. It’s a long term thing to train, so one shouldn’t be overly concerned with short breaks. Think of it as recovery time.
If your really sick and feel sick maybe Don’t train but if you are only sneezing or something be a man and train
Why are all his listed sources in the description about erectile dysfunction and not about the topic he’s talking about?
I lifted today with a cold but about passed out during cardio.
Great video! Oddly enough, I’ve had some of my best workouts when slightly sick, like a cold or something, maybe because I was extra determined not to let it ruin my workout. Rule of thumb though, if you have even a slight fever, stay home!
Omg this is so weird, I have a cold right now and was debating working out tonight…