How soon after a cold can I get back on the trainer?

[Echo]

So I've had a nasty cold for a few days, and I've felt completely drained all the time and if I had tried to work out I would have probably spit out a lung. Today I still feel like crap, but I feel like I might be able to ride the trainer. Will doing it cause my cold to get worse again? Or will it help get rid of it faster?

[T-Dog]

Man, Echo that sounds nasty. You shouldn't do anything on a bike for, oh say about 1-1/2 months. Then get back into it slowly, carefully.

Just lookin' out for ya.






(hope you feel better soon)

[Heidi]

If it's below your head, which it sounds like it is...I'd take it easy. There really isn't any rule as to how long you should wait. I've always heard that it can make you worse to ride if it's already in your chest, otherwise, chances are you won't get worse. I'm not sure though. Try it, and if you feel like crap, just stop and drink beer instead! Clear enough?

[Westy]

stop and drink beer instead!

Heidi must be that little voice inside my head, because that is what it is always telling me to do.

[Kanter]

Ride the trainer but take it easy......

[Silver]

Sometimes sweating a bit helps me break a cold...I'm trying that theory on myself tomorrow. I'll let you know if it works :D

[Heidi]

Sometimes sweating a bit helps me break a cold...I'm trying that theory on myself tomorrow. I'll let you know if it works :D

Yah, soemthing about if it's in the wee early stages, you can increase your blood cell count and that helps fight away the bad germs...I'm not very medically technical though. :)

[JMAC]

So I've had a nasty cold for a few days, and I've felt completely drained all the time and if I had tried to work out I would have probably spit out a lung. Today I still feel like crap, but I feel like I might be able to ride the trainer. Will doing it cause my cold to get worse again? Or will it help get rid of it faster?

Here's what I think, I've heard it takes 2 days after for every day you're sick to recover. Imo as soon as you feel good enough to be able to ride or train a bit, go fot it. I mean nothing hard at all just very easy and short spin on a trainer. I find I get better and rebound faster after a cold if I try to get some exercise in. I like to think it gets your blood flowing so it will chase the germs around faster and kill them faster, thus making you healthy agian. :p

[The Toninator]

this is a direct quote from the bike doc


BBranham

To paraphrase an old expression train a cold rest a fever. You may not be up to full bore interval training but do some easy spin and distance work till you are feeling better. You body won't be as toleratant of full bore intervals and high intensity training.

Thanks,


answering this queston:

Base training with a cold
What opinions do you have on this - train or not to train. I am in base phase right now and hate to loose time but don't want to become sicker or be counter productive

[bohica]

when I get sick, I generally stay on the trainer and let my body dictate how hard/long I ride. Then I drink beer.

[Nate at RIT]

I usually go out and get some fresh air. Sweat it out, clean it out of the body, etc.

[dirtyamerican]

I've heard before what Heidi said. If it's in the lungs...rest. If it's just a head cold go get an easy ride in. Get well soon...

[scrublover]

i'll just restate what a few others have said.

for me, if it's a head thing, i'll either be a lazy slug, or do a very easy ride if i'm absolutely going stir crazy.

if nasty lung stuff, i pretty much wait until i'm no longer hacking up lung butter. yes, that is an approved medical term.

and no on any kind of workout for me if i have a temp over 99F or so.