When deciding whether to exercise while sick, many gym-goers follow the “neck rule.” If symptoms are above the neck (such as sinus congestion, sore throat, runny nose, and sneezing), it’s safe to work out. Rest if symptoms are below the neck (such as stomach ache, diarrhea, hacking cough, and chest congestion).
So, how helpful is this rule? “That rule is very simplistic, but unfortunately not useful,” says Lori Solomon, MD, chair of family and community medicine at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York.
According to Dr. Solomon, the best question is not where your symptoms are occurring, but how poorly they’re making you feel. “I think it’s more reasonable to ask yourself what kind of movement you can do with your current symptoms and modify your workout if possible,” she says.
Solomon advises focusing on recovery, rather than beating yourself up if you don’t have the energy to exercise. In other words, it’s probably better to err on the side of caution than overexert yourself.
