By Lisa Lawston, personal trainer

The question is how sick are you? You’re body knows what it needs so pay attention to how you feel and work with it. These guidelines should assist you.

When should you avoid exercise:
If a fever is present, accompanied by body aches. Your body will become more stressed by a vigorous exercise program and you don’t want to raise your internal temperature. Staying hydrated is imperative. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, dizziness or any illness that has weakened your system enough to distract you, also puts you at risk for a potential physical injury because focus is not present.

Get moving:
If you’re experiencing a stuffy nose, light congestion or a minor sore throat and your energy level has slightly waned, it might serve you to do a low intensity workout. Many times it will help clear your head and increase your energy leaving you feeling better for it. Instead of doing a sixty-minute workout, consider doing a thirty-minute program. Most importantly, trust your body’s intuition! If you truly don’t feel up to working out, take the time off and you’ll come back stronger and rejuvenated from the rest.

Remember your gym etiquette:
Gyms are ripe for passing along virus’s so avoid spreading your germs and wipe down any equipment that you use.