Training when sick

[AaRoNSnider]

I hope this topic fits in this section.If not I appologize.What are your views on training when feeling sick?Is it pointless to even make the effort,or can it still be productive?I dont feel sick,like I need to go to the docter.Just a raw feeling throat.Ive been eating,and drinking really good today along with taking extra vitamin c.Except for my throat I feel good,but wasnt sure if working out would be more counterproductive,than productive.

[Eric Johnson]

Aaron good question I have often wondered that, I am just getting over the flu and haven't lifted in over a week (starting to drive me and the wife nuts). I read somewhere once that light excercise, brisk walk, etc. is good because it gets the blood moving and helps with white blood cell movement, but Damit Jim I am an engineer not a doctor. :)

[lhprop1]

I just got my March issue of Pure Power yesterday and they had an article about this. I only got to browse it, but one of the things the article said was that it's ok to train while you're sick, but stick to ME (60%-75% or more), low reps, and make sure you have plenty of recovery time between sets (4-5 minutes). DO NOT go high rep/endurance while you're sick. Your body needs the extra rest.

[AaRoNSnider]

Thanks for your responses!Today is supposed to be my d.e upper day.I think Ill just do a few sets of militaries,and a few sets of pull ups,taking a good amount of rest between sets.

[jonboy]

I never really miss a lift/practice/run if i have a cough, sore throat, etc. The only time I will really take a day off from being ill is if i got a serious fever or something to that extreme. I maybe get sick a few times a year so its never really a problem.

[John Hughes]

I just got my March issue of Pure Power yesterday and they had an article about this. I only got to browse it, but one of the things the article said was that it's ok to train while you're sick, but stick to ME (60%-75% or more), low reps, and make sure you have plenty of recovery time between sets (4-5 minutes). DO NOT go high rep/endurance while you're sick. Your body needs the extra rest.
that's exactly what I did today and I'm sick.

[AaRoNSnider]

I went in and did 5 sets of 3 on militaries,and a bunch of sets of 3 on pullups.Took long breaks.Felt good enough to get me by for the day.I still dont feel sick.My throat just feels really raw,but Im drinking alot,so that should help.

[lhprop1]

Sorry, John. I was just relaying the info.

I got a chance to read the entire article last night, so I'll pass along a few of the key points.

*If your symptoms are from the neck up (cold-like symptoms), it's fine to train.
*If your symptoms are from the neck down(flu, fever, etc), stay in bed.
*Zinc is only effective if taken at the first sign of cold symptoms.
*Vitamin C is good (see below).
*No conclusive data exists to confirm or deny the effectiveness of echinacea. All evidence is hearsay.
*Very few studies have been done regarding exercise and sickness and they were all done on runners. Nothing on lifting weights exists.

Regarding vitamin C, someone posted this link on Dr Squats board a few weeks back. Apparently, this old-timer was able to cure everything from hepatitis to leukemia with very strong, strictly regulated doses of vitamin C. It's long, but it's a great read.

Clinical guide to the use of Vitamin C (http://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/198x/smith-lh-clinical_guide_1988.htm)