{"id":884,"date":"2025-01-14T17:28:27","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T17:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/r3fitness.com\/blog\/?p=884"},"modified":"2025-01-14T17:28:28","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T17:28:28","slug":"should-you-work-out-when-youre-sick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/r3fitness.com\/blog\/goal-setting\/should-you-work-out-when-youre-sick\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Work Out When You’re Sick?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sometimes, you wake up feeling tired or have a scratchy throat. Maybe your nose is runny, or you feel a little warm. If you love exercising, you might wonder: Should I still work out when I\u2019m sick? The answer isn\u2019t always simple. It depends on how sick you are, what kind of exercise you want to do, and how your body feels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The “Neck Rule”<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Doctors often talk about something called the “neck rule” when deciding if it\u2019s okay to work out while sick. The neck rule means checking where your symptoms are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Above the neck<\/strong>: If you have a stuffy nose, sore throat, or sneezing, light exercise might be okay. These are mild symptoms, and moving your body could even help you feel better by boosting your blood flow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Below the neck<\/strong>: If you have chest congestion, a bad cough, or an upset stomach, it\u2019s better to rest. These symptoms can get worse if you push your body too hard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
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    Types of Exercises and Illnesses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Not all exercises are the same, and how they affect you when you\u2019re sick can differ. Let\u2019s break it down:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Light Exercises<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n