Is It Safe To Work Out After Getting A Flu Shot?

On the day you get a flu shot, you could rightfully pick up a pizza, drive home, and set up camp on your couch for the evening. After all, you've already been proactive in keeping your body healthy. If you'd rather head to the gym for your favorite spin class, but you're concerned since you have just received a vaccination, then you can breathe a sigh of relief. As it turns out, working out after getting a flu shot is safe.

K Health's Dr. Edo Paz tells Elite Daily, "It's typically safe to exercise after receiving a flu shot. In fact, some studies have indicated that exercising after a flu shot may improve your body's response to the vaccine by activating the immune system." 

A study referring to this response was done by a University of Sydney researcher, Dr. Kate Edwards. Edwards claims on The University of Sydney her belief that exercise is the solution to successful vaccination. She found that physical exercise before or after a vaccination can especially increase vaccine response and can even help reduce or eliminate some of the side effects. "We are almost certain that exercise can help vaccine response by activating parts of the immune system that means it's ready to respond when the vaccine is administered," she says.

So exercising after a flu shot is considered safe, but maybe don't go as far as to run a marathon right after. "In general, people should not overdo their exercise after a flu shot," Paz shares with Elite Daily. Like with any strenuous activity, he recommends you "listen to your body."

And as it is typical with most medical products, the flu shot can have some side effects. The CDC lists some of these side effects as: soreness, redness, and/or swelling from the shot, headache, fever nausea, and muscle aches. None of these sound fun to endure while at that spin class, so take it easy if you are feeling any of these side effects. 

Caitlin Hoff, health and safety investigator for ConsumerSafety.org, tells Elite Daily, "If you experience any of these symptoms, you might feel better resting for a day or two before you get back to the gym." She goes on, suggesting, "You might also just tailor your workout. For example, with a sore arm, you could avoid upper body workouts until the swelling or soreness recedes." 

Regardless of whether you choose to exercise or not after receiving a flu shot, know that both the couch or the bicycle seat, are safe choices.