Common sense tells me that the body should fully recover before engaging in an intense workout, but is a light day or a less intense cardio day okay'On one hand you don't want to break progress by waiting too long between workouts, yet on the other hand, you don't want to remain sick because the body will have to allocate nutrition in building muscle tissue as opposed to building an immune response."

Do Not Workout If:

• You have a fever
• You feel nauseous
• You are highly contagious and in a public gymWorkout If:
• You just have a mild cold
• It's been a couple of days and you are over the worst of it

Not only was it irresponsible of me to bring my funk into the gym but Karma was paid back when my body couldn't recover and I ended up prolonging my illness an extra week or so.

What I don't recommend is that you workout with weights unless it's following the same principles.

Believe me...

Why cardio?Seems to me that working out with weights does not give you that cardiovascular benefit (except circuit training). I've never felt that great when I have a cold and hit the iron. I've always felt better when I just do light cardio for about 20 minutes or so. Nothing intense mind you. Strictly warm-up to pace levels.

The research has shown that doing cardio when you have a cold has the greatest benefits. Working out with weights has not had the same effect.

Being sick is no fun! But if you over do it, you will just prolong your illness. So keep that in mind when I say light. You are there to feel better not improve or break a personal record.

Your recovery will not be compromised as long as you go light.

This question is a great bridge to another topic that is a favorite of mine called Taking a Training Break. Should you or shouldn't you take one?Fact is, the training break is an overlooked, often under utilized concept that not only will have you in the gym for longer periods of time but you'll recover faster and get stronger by NOT hitting the weights and doing cardio.

After 9 weeks of training if I do not take a training break, I always get sick. A mild cold mind you but like clockwork, it happens. I've found that by working out continually, that 9 week hump is when my body is taxed to the point where I'm not at my optimal recovery.

It's also very important to just let your joints heal during this time from lifting. So not only is a break good for the immune system but it's good for joint recovery as well.

During this break I still supplement the same, I just don't 'train' but I am active.