Training when Ill

[EnglishBeef]

A bad cold or flu interupts my training regular, it's really frustrating. More so than an injury.

I read exercise can strenghten or weaken your imune system. Moderate progressive exercise helps combat illness, but excessive hard training can break down your immune system making you more prone to illness.

I only ever train hard, no point in being there if you don't. But it really pisses me off that i get colds because of this.

Exercise when you have a cold can be dangerous and makes your illness worse.

Does anybody else expereince this, or any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Maccer101]

I would lay off for a couple of days since adrenaline & costisol release lower immue response.

But if its only minor, or on its way out I would train but just on a reduced workload.

If you are regulary getting colds this could is a symptom of overtraining or not getting enough kip.

 

[FatRat]

If it’s a bad cold, I wont go near the gym. It isn’t going to be productive, and will probably cause the cold to last longer, so I try to think of the long term picture. If its mild and I have caught it in time with some good nights sleep and a dose of Vit C then I would probably train but reduce my volume so as not to tax my body too much.

The other thing with having a cold is passing it on to other gym users. There is nothing worse than seeing a guy coughing and wiping his nose, panting deeply and wiping his hands all over the bit of kit that you want to use next, you just know you are next in line to pick up the virus…

 

[EnglishBeef]

Thanks for that lads, and yes i never really thought about going to the gym giving other people my germs, if it were somebody else i would get a bit pissed

cheers

 

[casualbb]

When you train, how often? How long do your sessions last?

 

[Debaser]

Casual might be thinking the same thing I am...

 

[Devastation]

Before I start a cycle now or switch to a different style of training, I go to the doctor and get a gamma-globlin (sp?) shot to boost my bodies immunities. Works good for me. my wife is in the other room coughing up a lung and i'm sitting here chilling out before i go bench in about an hour.

 

[tad69]

" Your will is at its strongest when your body is at its weakest!"

Anybody know who said that?

 

[EnglishBeef]

I train every week day for about 1 hour

 

[casualbb]

is it all failure training?

 

[EnglishBeef]

Yes mate, all exercises i do are to failure.

This works well for me at the moment monday - friday

To failure 4 sets

Saturday morning i'm wiped out. I could sleep until tea time

 

[Zander1983]

Post your full routine?

 

[EnglishBeef]

Thanks for the help!

Monday - bench 4 sets 16r 12r 8r 6r
chest incline flyes 4 sets reps as above
Flat flyes " " "
incline bench " " "
incline flyes " " "

Tuesday - barbell curl 4 sets 16r 12r 8r 6r
arms Preacher curls reps as above
dumbell curls " " "
Skull crushes " " "
dumbell extensions " " "
pressdowns " " "

Wednesday- Squats 4 sets 16r 12r 8r 6r
legs Leg extensions as above
seated calf raises " " "
reverse leg curls " " "

Thursday - Overhead press 4 sets 16r 12r 8r 6r
shoulders side raises reps as above
dumbell press " " "
upright rows " " "
shrugs " " "

Friday - pull ups 4 sets 16r 12r 8r 6r
Bent over rows reps as above
Lat pull downs " " "
One arm dumbell rows " " "

Every second week finish with deadlifts 2 sets.


Saturday / Sunday rest

 

[Zander1983]

With about 80 sets all to failure, you're in trouble, unless heavily "assisted".

That is not sustainable volume in the long term. In a periodized program you can get away with weekly bursts of that type of volume at that level of intensity on the proviso you are doing everything right. 100% of the time, however, is a different story IMO

 

[EnglishBeef]

Yes i'am "assisted" i also have my diet spot on. Sometimes it is hard going sometimes a fly through my work out.

Average 8 hours sleep a night

 

[Zander1983]

Ok, so you're giving your body everything it needs to cope with whatever training you throw at it, which is something very many people don't have worked out

I've never used AAS so I could be very wrong, but I know that I couldn't handle that kind of training while natural, permanently, even with diet and rest perfected.

 

[EnglishBeef]

That is what i'm trying to change, i know that this can't continue. This has been my training scheme for about 4 weeks it is taking it's toll on my immune system and joints, but i'm really growing doing it.

I want a good split to train too, The scotsman gave me a good one to try, but it's changing something that you are used to it's hard.

One last thing i've uploaded a picture to my gallery how to i get that onto a thread any idea.

Thanks mate. Have Karma for your troubles

 

[FatRat]

Yo Beefy, that is a shit load of volume! Looking at it I don’t think it would be productive, and perhaps the way you are feeling backs that up?

I’m not saying go this low if you don’t want to, but there are guys (myself included) that have gained well on one set per body part. Its sometimes difficult to get away from the "more is better" mind set, but your body will thank you for it and you will be making the most of your "investment".

Check out the training sticky at the top of the page. DC or 5x5 are nice, or just cut out some of your isolation moves and concentrate on building up your strength on those compound moves...

 

[EnglishBeef]

hiya mate,

You are right, I know you are right. It is difficult to get out of that mind set. I think the way that i'm feeling i.e cold after cold, does indicate the volume of work is being counter productive.

I wil try a different approach for a bit to see if that corrects it

Cheers