Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To cancel my gym class I’m booked into tonight?

190 replies

SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 07:08

I’ve woken up full of cold and I feel like shit. All I want is to crawl into bed, but needs must and I need to go to work. My gym asks that you avoid cancelling on the day of a class, but you have to do it more than 4 hours before the class if you’re going to. I’ll see if I can still go to the gym at all, because I know I’m being lazy if I don’t, but AIBU to break their policy and cancel?

OP posts:
LivingDeadGirlUK · 30/09/2025 08:52

SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 07:17

I can’t justify skipping entirely - I feel like I’m just falling into old habits where I use any old excuse to not go. I can handle some gentle cardio and muscle training, but not a high intensity class. Just feel like a failure!

My god please don't spread your germs over the gym equipment, go for a walk outside if you want some gentle cardio.

Gymbunny2025 · 30/09/2025 08:52

Exercising when you’re ill isn’t recommended and can slow recovery (apparently?!). Go for a walk outside instead on your lunch break and get an early night. When I’ve tried to push myself when unwell I just find it too hard then end up feeling rubbish anyway! Plus no one at the gym wants your germs 😷

YouCantParkThere · 30/09/2025 08:52

What since when did the world stop for a cold?!

HellonHeels · 30/09/2025 08:52

SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 08:03

I’m aiming to go everyday. Started my new routine yesterday. I can’t just give up today.

Show quote history

Are you always this "all or nothing"?

If you've got a fair bit of extra weight to lose you really need to accept it is a long road to change habits and build fitness in a sustainable way.

Planning for 2-3 gym sessions a week is the way to go to start gently and be able to maintain a new habit. If you go all in trying to do it every day after a period of inactivity / weight gain, that is unsustainable. Missing a gym session because you're sick is not failure, it's taking care of yourself.

My advice is rest up for a few days, make sustainable food choices and go back to the gym in a few days when you're well again.

WishIcouldstay · 30/09/2025 08:51

SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 08:43

But I will feel guilty. At home workouts just aren’t the same, no matter what they say on their YouTube videos they’re not.

Show quote history

But wouldn’t you feel guilty about passing on your cold? Work is one thing, but this is unnecessary. It’s not fair on others to make them sick if you can avoid it.

WinkingQuestion · 30/09/2025 08:51

SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 07:29

For what it’s worth I’m pretty sure it’s not contagious. I’ve felt run down for a week now and nobody around me has picked it up.

Your first post you said you have woken up with a cold this morning. You will be contagious. Just don't go to the gym and eat healthy foods.

Whataninterestinglookingpotato · 30/09/2025 08:51

SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 08:43

But I will feel guilty. At home workouts just aren’t the same, no matter what they say on their YouTube videos they’re not.

Show quote history

So what. You feel guilty for a day. You are not more important than other people who may be recovering from chemo and have a low immune system or who are competing in something they’ve really worked hard for this weekend and you will make them sick!!

stop being selfish and work out at home for a few days.

Whataninterestinglookingpotato · 30/09/2025 08:49

SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 08:03

I’m aiming to go everyday. Started my new routine yesterday. I can’t just give up today.

Show quote history

Yes you can. Don’t be selfish. Your need is not greater than others. You can work out at home as you are the one who is spreading the germs.

3luckystars · 30/09/2025 08:48

rest is important and also walking is brilliant exercise

Original poster
SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 08:47

MyPeppyCat · 30/09/2025 08:44

"I feel like shit, so what" Gosh, you really don't sound like you like yourself very much. How about some self compassion?

Show quote history

That’s called being soft. I could rot in bed all day but for what reason? I didn’t even do that after I had surgery

OP posts:
3luckystars · 30/09/2025 08:45

Go for a walk instead. Nobody actually cares if you go or not.

MyPeppyCat · 30/09/2025 08:44

SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 07:55

It’s hyperbole. I feel like shit. But that doesn’t make it
a major thing. I feel like shit, so what? I can still get out of bed and function.

Show quote history

"I feel like shit, so what" Gosh, you really don't sound like you like yourself very much. How about some self compassion?

Original poster
SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 08:43

dynamiccactus · 30/09/2025 08:42

Do something at home instead like a gentle pilates class. Your body will thank you for some mobility work, you won't feel guilty for missing a class and you won't infect people at the gym. Wins all round!

Have a look on Youtube for something of an appropriate length and difficulty.

Show quote history

But I will feel guilty. At home workouts just aren’t the same, no matter what they say on their YouTube videos they’re not.

OP posts:
Original poster
SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 08:43

Fortunebiscuits · 30/09/2025 08:35

Three word username back at it!

I name change regularly because people I know use this site, I run out of ideas!

OP posts:
dynamiccactus · 30/09/2025 08:42

SoftCyanWool · 30/09/2025 07:17

I can’t justify skipping entirely - I feel like I’m just falling into old habits where I use any old excuse to not go. I can handle some gentle cardio and muscle training, but not a high intensity class. Just feel like a failure!

Do something at home instead like a gentle pilates class. Your body will thank you for some mobility work, you won't feel guilty for missing a class and you won't infect people at the gym. Wins all round!

Have a look on Youtube for something of an appropriate length and difficulty.

canyon2000 · 30/09/2025 08:41

Can you get off the bus early and walk the extra bit home? That would be light exercise and the fresh air might make you feel a bit better.

SatsumaDog · 30/09/2025 08:39

Stressing your body by exercising will slow down your recovery op. If you have to do anything, go for a short walk outside. You won’t do yourself (or anyone else) any favours by exercising when you’re sick.

ToutesetBonne · 30/09/2025 08:38

A friend of mine battled through in similar circumstances ('just a cold') and ended up with a heart transplant (previously perfectly well!), so please don't!

Gizlotsmum · 30/09/2025 08:35

I can understand wanting to get going on a new fitness regime, but honestly I think you will burn out far quicker if you don’t listen to your body, take rest days and look after yourself. I do think there is a difference between having to do something ( go to work) and wanting to do something (gym). Ideally you would infect as few people as possible by staying home but appreciate that isn’t always possible.

Fortunebiscuits · 30/09/2025 08:35

Three word username back at it!

mrschocolatte · 30/09/2025 08:35

You should be able to work out in your head what risk you pose to others from being sick and then make a sensible decision to limit the risk of people getting sick because of you, where possible. It’s that simple.

EmpressaurusKitty · 30/09/2025 08:32

londongirl12 · 30/09/2025 08:31

You don’t have to go to the gym to do exercise.

Yes, a few of us have said that but the OP’s ignoring it. I’m going to hide the thread now because it’s getting annoying.

Mum2twoandacockapoo · 30/09/2025 08:31

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

childofthe607080s · 30/09/2025 08:31

Cancel fhe gym and try and find a job with a proper sick pay policy ( the later being harder than the former )

londongirl12 · 30/09/2025 08:31

You don’t have to go to the gym to do exercise.