Train through colds or not?

Question

I keep getting mild colds and sore throats, I eat well loads of fruit and veg, take vitamin supplements but I'm still very susceptable to colds. I find it weakens me for my weight training regime and I don't want to miss sessions, but have done and even if I do the cold doesn't go away. any suggestions on how anybody else copes with this?

Answer 1

take it a easy

Answer 2

I would say training through colds is a bad idea in general. If you are just beginning to come down with a cold or are almost recovered from it you could train through that if necessary but when you're completely down with it, training is a bad idea.
Your body's natural defences are down and your body needs rest to rehabilitate itself. Training could seriously damage you in the weakened state and if you don't recover properly your body will be suceptible to more viruses and colds later on as it hasn't been able to fully build up it's immunity.

Have you tried taking acidophilus tablets? They're a type of vitamin suppliment, similar to that of 'good bacteria' methods.
I used to get countless colds but since I started taking them, although it could certainly be down to other factors too, I have only had one major cold so far.
I can't say it works for everybody though.

Other than that I can't recommend much other than asking you try try to avoid training if possible during the worst of a cold and when you're down have lots of rest, drink lots of orange and fruit juice and tomatoes.

If you're very concerned about the constant colds you could visit your doctor, you may have low levels of something in your body that could be helped by prescribed vitamins or injections.

Good luck with the training! x

Answer 3

absolutely not....stop gym....let your immune system respond with a full compliment of energy...fight off the cold then go back to the gym. Otherwise you just lengthen the cold and miss more gymn. Are you ensuring you get enough sleep and vit c.....2 very key things in fighting colds.... enough carbs as well....cos when your temp rises your body is buring fuel like ther is no tomorrow..and you need to keep the fire burnin'

If the cold or fever has been going on for a month and everytime you think you are getting better and it gets worse but then after 1-2 months go to a dr.....ask for a blood test

Answer 4

Absolutely NOT.

A virus hijacks the systems in your cells (including nerves and muscles) for its own reproduction.

That means it is diverting the energy you need for working out (so you are weaker) and diverting the processes you need for recovery (so you will not be fully recovered when you next train).
Your motor skills will also be inaccurate, so you are 'practicing' bad technique, as well as putting a strain on neural systems (including your heart rate control).

If you have a virus, you need to lay off training completely (although gentle movement can be beneficial), while you have symptoms, and for three to seven days afterwards, and start with very gentle (eg beginner or warmup standard) sessions, working back up to your trained level in stages. Tolerate the loss of condition; you will gain faster if you are fully recovered.

Try increasing your Zinc intake as well as the Vitamins.

Answer 5

The rule of thumb I've always used is if it is the above the neck, it's fine, but you may need to go less intense than normal. Below the neck, don't. But I have a home gym setup so I don't have to worry about other people around me. If you are working out in a gym, you want to stop going until you get better. There's enough germs there, so why add more to the mix.

Answer 6

In general, you should ease down or even stop training when you are sick.

If the colds seem to be coming more frequently when you are training you need to see whether you are over training and not giving your body enough rest between cycles to recover and actually build muscles.

Answer 7

If I have a cold that is just a head cold-- not in the lungs-- I train and try to sweat out the cold but if in the lungs, I rest.

Answer 8

hey crownose if you feel up to training train but use less weight as the sweating will make you feel much better