It is a very basic part of life for everyone to become sick at one point or another. A number and a variety of different things weaken the immune system, this will allow a cold or flu virus to enter into the system. For most people the experience of getting sick is solved by taking a few days off, renting some movies and staying in bed wrapped up to recover. But when bodybuilders get sick and can't follow through with their daily routine, a lot of progress is lost. The essentials of bodybuilding are very hard training in the gym and unbelievably strict diets; whiles these are very beneficial, they can actually increase the chances of you getting sick. Training hard at the gym and maintaining a bizarre diet can drag down your immune system and central nervous system. While bodybuilding can make muscles stronger and bigger, it can also often result in your immune system acting weaker.

Bodybuilders do not have the luxury of deciding to skip a day at the gym when they feel a little sick or tired. On the other hand, working out at the gym while you are very sick is often an easy way to damage your recovery, not to mention sharing your illness with other people in the gym. It's a delicate balance of deciding whether you're going to miss the gym due to illness, or risk damaging your body even further by working out.

Before deciding to workout or not, you should consider some of these questions. Is the illness serious enough that staying home would result in major loss? If you were to train with this illness, could it end up costing you more progress? Can others at the gym catch what you have easily? Do you want to risk catching something else at a gym full of germs and bacteria in your weakened condition?

Training Decision
It's important to dress in layers. Be sure to take your medicine. Zicam and Echinacea are great choices that will strengthen the immune system and obliterate any other illnesses that might be acquired. It is good to begin with light cardio and light weights. Stop to take a break if your situation quickly worsens.

Time Off Decision
A lot of people will choose to take 3-7 days off from the gym in order to get a cold or a flu virus out of your system. The body needs time to rest, and once you're feeling better then it's time to go back. A doctor should be consulted if the illness continues. Many environmental factors can contribute to illness, so keep a look out for things around you that may be making you sick.

Down the Road
Missing time due to illness should be expected at some point. It is very important that a body is given ample time to heal having been stricken with illness. But you must maintain the balance and not skip the gym whenever you feel a little down or tired. Finding this balance will result in nothing but success at the gym!