Should I work out when I am sick?

I have had a head cold(sniffles, body aching, cold, etc.) for the past few days.  I have not felt up to working out.  If I worked out, would I feel better, because working out strengthens the body, or is it not a good idea.  I just feel really lazy when i don't workout.  What do you think?

I'm sick too with a headcold since sunday. I think that a light workout would be fine but try not to push yourself.  I've had two intramural basketball games this week, which almost killed me, and I did a light workout on monday (walked on treadmill uphill for 35 minutes and abs).  I think you should listen to your body, if it wants to workout, work it out but don't push yourself.  I'll probably do the elliptical tonight for 30 minutes and some abs.  Well I hope you get better!

Ive never seen anything that says not to workout when ill or that it's going to affect you in a negative way. Just be carefull and listen to your body like healthnuttie said and you should be a-okay. =]

I tend to listen to my body.  If I have aches and shivers, I don't work out.  If I think I would spread it to my fellow gymgoers, I don't work out.  If I'm just a little congested and it's annoying but I'm otherwise fine, I go.

You could maybe feel better but not strain yourself if you just go for a walk, just a nice easy walk.  If there's a store nearby, maybe walk to pick up some cold meds.  When I'm sick, that's just about the only thing that sounds doable.  Listen to your body though!

The rule I was given was: work out if it's just a cold, but if your lungs are congested or you have a fever, you need to stop until you are feeling better.

I was sick with a head cold recently and I still attempted to work out, I found that I had no energy and felt really burned out during the day, I figured my body was busy fighting the illness. I had to take 2 days off until I was feeling better :(

The general rule (so I've been told by my doctor and sports coaches) -- is that if the sickness is anywhere below your neck then don't work out because it could get into your lungs and do bad things.  But if it's a headcold or a sore throat it's okay to work out, and it might even help to get the blood moving again - just make sure to hydrate.

Listen to your body. With body aches you may have a low grade fever which means your body is doing it's job. But if you push it you'll get full blown sick. Having a lite work out can't hurt but think about it would you want to be working out next to someone who has a cold or the start of the flu? I know I don't like being near anyone who shows signs of sickness. As to below/above the chest area...I don't believe that cause I had some heavy congestion a while back and doing my cardio actually helped move it out. I wasn't running a fever or fatigued so I just kept a normal pace and listened to my body.

Working the body does strengthen the body and the immune system to some respect. However when you're run down it actually supresses the immune system and makes you sicker.

I don't usually do OTC drugs except an expectorant for chest stuff. Drink lots of fluids, get homeopathic remedy called Sinusala, it'll help with sinus congestion, drink onion broth plain and REST!

Good luck. What's going around is very nasty and takes about 4-6 wks to get completely rid of. I've had a chest thing for just about a month.

Nope, never or else your muscles will get ''infected'' from the virus

Ugh.  Another health-nut infecting the rest of us by wiping their snot on the machines.

I've always heard that as long as you don't have a fever, it's okay to workout while sick.