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What do bodybuilders do when they get sick? They shouldn’t train if sick, but they don’t
stay in shape if they don’t work out.
Part of it depends on what they are suffering from. A guy with a cold could lift weights
if he stays hydrated and wears a face mask so he doesn’t spread it to everyone else.
And if he is sicker than that?
A body builder shouldn’t try to work out if they have a stomach bug, the flu or any
illness that leaves him dehydrated. If you have a high fever, you ought to stay in bed,
body builder or not.
That makes sense. Though I’ve seen guys trying to pump weights while sick.
The irony of trying to train while sick is that they are using up energy that could be
used by their bodies to fight the disease. They would get healthier faster if they just
took two or three days to recover.
When can you get back into the routine?
If you’re past the worst of it, you could have a light workout day. Then you’re getting
back in routine without leaving yourself vulnerable to a secondary illness.
Or passing out because you’re too weak to workout.
And you should never workout if you start feeling nauseous, whether due to illness or
dizziness because you pushed it too hard.
It is hard enough to clean work benches between uses to reduce the risk of MRSA. No one wants
to risk picking up a stomach bug, too.
Another option for a body builder is to do light cardio while recovering. For example,
doing a light workout or short run helps maintain fitness, without the risk of dropping a barbell
on you because you got light headed.
But they are so often working out while sick, like they’re tougher than the germs.
A lot of guys are body builders because they want to look tough, so that’s totally in
character.
So is being stupid.