Don’t make excuses for skipping a workout.

You’ve been there before. Nose running, sore throat, head ache for the ages, and all the while feeling like a miserable mess. But it’s leg day and you feel like if you slack off now it’ll just lead to a descent into laziness and your quads & calves will suffer for it. People tell you it’s good to work out while you’re sick, saying things like, “Just sweat it out”, while others ensure you that you’ll delve deeper into sickness if you decide to workout at the gym. Winter is upon us and that means sick season –  so what should you do when you catch a bug?
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The Above/Below The Neck Rule

Coughing a bit? Have a constant urge to blow your nose? You’re likely still fine to head to the gym. A head cold shouldn’t be any excuse to keep you out of commission and on the sidelines. Any symptoms below the neck however may be cause for concern. If your muscles ache, you have the chills, stomach virus or a high fever, then skipping the gym for one or two days is probably your best bet.  Plus, you don’t want to spread whatever bug you have to someone else, during the first 5-7 days of your illness.

Workout Intensity

Pushing yourself too hard while you’re sick can prove to compromise your immune system. If you want to avoid sickness for a prolonged period of time without sacrificing your training routine then your safest bet is to regulate your training intensity. It’s okay to push yourself, but just don’t push past your limits, and make sure to drink plenty of fluids.
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Boosting Your Immune System

By boosting your immune system with vitamin C and D, you can help keep the sickness at bay while working out. As mentioned before, you risk weakening your immune system when working out while being sick. So to prevent that, why not utilize the proper preventative measures to your advantage and bolster your immune system.

What do you do when you catch a bug? Let us know in the comments below and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.