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An Easy Answer to If You Should Work Out If You’re Feeling Under the Weather

Family is lying on a bed due to flu in winter‘Tis the season for sniffles and sneezes! When you’re really sick, there is no question that you need to rest. Your body clearly tells you to stay the heck home and watch re-runs of New Girl. But what if you’re just a touch sick? Or you feel like a cold might be coming? Should you still head to the gym or take a break? Well, lucky for us, Life Fitness has tips so you’ll know whether to sweat it out or skip it entirely.

What to Know About Exercising When Sick

1. Do a neck-check. The standard to follow is called the “neck-check.” If your symptoms are above the neck, like a runny nose or sore throat, then you’re okay to exercise when sick. Always listen to your body though and take the intensity of your workout down a bit if your regular pace feels too strenuous.

2. If you are sick below the neck, take a break from exercise. If you have any symptoms below the neck, such as body aches, chills, stomach problems or diarrhea, take it easy until you are feeling better. If you’re running a fever, no matter what your symptoms are, put off exercising until your temperature returns to normal.

Continue reading for more of what you need to know about exercising when sick (and how to tell if it’s okay or not!). —Erin

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