Why You Shouldn't Exercise After Getting The COVID-19 Vaccine

Are you getting your COVID-19 vaccine? You might want to skip your trip to the gym on vaccination day. Although you may not feel up to exercising after your shot anyways, if you did find yourself at the gym, a workout could have some negative effects on the vaccine's flow through your body.

Experts say that you should avoid vigorous exercise two hours before your vaccination and two hours after your vaccination (via Best Life). The vaccine is delivered into your muscle and released into your bloodstream at a certain rate, which can be altered when your heart rate rises during a workout, according to experts.

Exercising could also put your body under additional stress, even if you aren't feeling any symptoms after the shot. Fitness experts tell Very Well Fit that while exercise is usually a positive stress on your body, it could be harmful when your immune system is already under stress processing the vaccination.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not offered specific guidelines about working out before or after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, but they do offer some recommendations on how to mitigate arm soreness. It may seem like you should avoid using your arm that received the shot, but exercising your arm can actually reduce the soreness or discomfort you may feel.

While more studies are needed to determine the exact effects of exercise on vaccine day, it may be wise to avoid high intensity workouts until you are feeling back to normal. The time frame for symptoms to subside is typically within a few days, according to the CDC.

When you start working out again, try lower-impact exercises like walking, stretching, or yoga. You should consult with a medical professional if you have specific questions about your workout routine or the COVID-19 vaccine.