With the constant weather changes over the past few weeks in the Los Angeles area, a number of people have fallen prey to a nasty cold/flu. Last weekend I was down for the count and this week a few of my clients have taken the week off to recoup.
I am sure you will agree that getting sick can put a wrench in your plans (business, fitness or otherwise). Most fitness enthusiasts (myself included) will profess that continuing to go to the gym helps to alleviate some of the symptoms but when is it time to put the gym bag down? 
Everyone has their own rules of thumb but an interesting one I found while perusing the internet was the “neck check”. Neil Schachter, MD, medical director of respiratory care at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York explains that “If your symptoms are above the neck, including a sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, and tearing eyes, then it’s OK to exercise.” He also mentions that “If your symptoms are below the neck, such as coughing, body aches, fever, and fatigue, then it’s time to hang up the running shoes until these symptoms subside.”
Another thing to consider is your intensity, when you’re sick your body is not operating at 100% efficiency so you may find you need more rest between sets or that you may have to lower the intensity of the workout.
Above all, listen to your body as a request for rest should never be ignored.
