Can You Still Exercise With A Cold?
15th Nov 19
If you’re not riddled with fever, and you feel okay to do so, then yes. Just take it easy and avoid it if you have a fever or things can take a turn for the worse.
Colds are just a part of life. There’s pretty much nothing you can do about them, and chances are, you’ll get at least one every year. That can have a significant impact on your exercise. However, if you’re really serious about it (which is probably why you’re here), there are some things you need to know to keep yourself safe and do what’s best for your body.
Want to move fast? Jump to the right section below.
Technically, yes
If you are really desperate to exercise even with your cold, then it probably won’t be too harmful to do exercise while you are ill. It may not be the smartest thing to do, but it’s likely not going to be dangerous (unless you have a fever, which we’ll go onto). That isn’t to say that it will be easy, though.
If you are really hell-bent on doing it and not just resting to give yourself a fighting chance, it’s definitely wise to listen to your body and only do as much as you feel up to. Your health is more important than your fitness, and your body is already working overtime to try and help you get rid of the virus you’re dealing with. So it’s probably not worth it.
Try taking a gentle walk or bike ride instead of your usual training, or even take part in active recovery. Going all out in your usual workouts won’t do you any favours.
Beware of Fever
One thing that is vital, as we keep saying, is that you watch out for a fever if you are going to exercise with any illness, especially a cold or flu. According to the NHS, if your body temperature is above 38 degrees, you are at risk of causing serious damage to your health as the virus can spread to your heart.
Our Advice
Ultimately, if you’re ill, your body is already going through enough. Rest is never a bad thing as long as you do it correctly. Getting better is always the priority, and if you overexert yourself, you can make yourself feel even worse than you already do. Make the most of the downtime and do what’s best for your health.
Before beginning any exercise or nutrition program, consult your physician, doctor or other professional. This is especially important for individuals over the age of 35 or persons with pre-existing health problems. Exercise.co.uk assumes no responsibility for personal injury or property damage sustained using our advice.
If you experience dizziness, nausea, chest pain, or any other abnormal symptoms, stop the workout at once and consult a physician or doctor immediately.
5% off
