Question about exercising while sick

Hi there -

Today is the 2 week mark since I've worked out due to bronchitis and a sinus infection.  The bronchitis seems to have finally subsided but the sinus infection is still going strong.  Is there a rule of thumb that pertains to exercising when sick?  Think I remember hearing something about having the green light if it's from the neck up but red light if it's neck down?  Or maybe I just made that up.     Any advice?  Thank you!

That is the general rule.  I think that more applies to colds though than sinus infections!

couldn't tell ya...I workout even when I have the flu...lol...

Don't work out...your poor body is working hard enough to stay healthy as it is. Just eat a healthy balanced diet and get lots of sleep, water, and an antibiotic if you havent already. Sinus infections are the pits...hope you feel better soon! 

Im in the same boat as you toch. Started in the sinus's went to my chest, my chest is getting better but my sinus's are still blah! I feel so blah from not working out. Im thinking I may have to wait another week because if I bend over and stand back up I get dizzy!

Original Post by nativeprincess4:

Im in the same boat as you toch. Started in the sinus's went to my chest, my chest is getting better but my sinus's are still blah! I feel so blah from not working out. Im thinking I may have to wait another week because if I bend over and stand back up I get dizzy!

im freaking sick too, just when i was getting a back into enjoying my time at the gym. ooo, dizziness never a good sign to start exercising again. & eddie, we all know you are a machine & like to get punched so...

If you are working out at home or outside, then I'd go easy with it. I always get pressure in my ears with a sinus infection and it can effect your balance.

If you want to go to the gym I'd say wait untill you are better. Just to be nice to the others there. Germs and all.

I find sickness a great excuse not to exercise for a while.  If you are obssessive about things, like I am, it can even be good for your mental health to give it a break and curl up with a good book instead until you are better.

I worked out once last week and got really sick at the gym. Getting the cold shivers in the steam room can't be good. I gave it until today and tried again. I got dizzy and my legs were shaking as I was walking to the front door. I got back into the car and went to Burger King and plopped back down on the couch.

If I can't stand up and walk around without getting dizzy, I'm gonna assume I shouldn't be lifting 100+ pounds around the gym.

 Can't find the exact article now, but there was a meta-study that came out around Christmas that kinda confirmed the old "neck-rule" of thumb - that is, there was no detectable difference between groups who exercises and groups who didn't while they were symptomatic over the neck, while recovery took longer for the "exercise with symptoms below the neck" groups.

 Caveat - "symptoms below the neck" of flu, colds or flu-like symptoms, not broken legs, bubonic plague, or mysterious rashes. Or dizziness. Use common sense, and see a doctor if symptoms persist.

melkor's link reminded me that I probably pissed a lot of people off with my non-stop hacking cough during my entire work out. No one needs my cooties aerosoled all over the gym.

I generally find that as I recover some light exercise is beneficial, working my way up to real workouts.  You can try pushups and situps and squats at home and see how you feel without taking a lot of space or inconveniencing other people at the gym with your potential germs.