This is a great question that many people ask.  Should I workout if you I’m feeling sick?  Is it safe? Can I make my sickness worse if I workout?  There are actually a few answers to this question because it depends on what type of sickness you have.

Lets say you have a cold, you might have a mild sore throat, a stuffy or runny nose, maybe even some sneezing.  You will probably be okay to workout.  Now, you might not be able to exercise hard like you usually do, but you will be able to do some moderate workouts.  Working out when you have the common cold might actually give you some temporary relief, because your nasal passage can open up, and help you breathe. If you do decide to workout with a congested nose, be careful when taking any mucus relief medication, because you might feel queasy in the middle of your workout and possibly vomit.  Another thing to keep in mind, if you feel like your cold could be contagious, you should stay home and workout instead of going to the gym in the risk of causing other people to get sick.  But you should be fine to exercise.

On the other hand, lets say that you are experiencing an upset stomach, and you already feel like you could throw up, it would probably be a good idea to take the day off and not workout.  Anytime you are experiencing tightness or congestion in the chest, any shortness of breath, or a cough that is persistent, it would be a good idea to skip your workouts for that amount of time.  You should not exercise if you are experiencing a fever or the flu, you need to stay home and get some rest and see a doctor.

The most important thing to do when you are sick is to use common sense, and if you have any doubts consult your doctor.