Going to the gym when signed off work?

[hunge]

DH thinks this is hugely unreasonable and is shocked I even suggested it … surely it isn’t?

We once had a woman who had an operation and she was in the shopping centre (where we worked) afterwards whilst she was still signed off. She was so embarrassed and apologized to me - I was saying to her unless she's doing 8 hour marathons in the centre where she stood most of the time and then went home to cook dinner and sort her house out isn't not really comparable to work. You have to start small with most recoveries. And the gym is defo physio, assuming you'd a plan of sorts or vague timeline to get back to work (whether that involves the gym or not)

It’s more the fact you can travel (and I assume sit in the car) to get to the pool than actually being in the pool which would make me think you’d be ready for a phased return. If you live close to the pool and it’s a short walk then I wouldn’t judge at all.

of course you are being reasonable. It’s crazy that people don’t realise exercise helps you recover from a back injury, in this day and age! Core strengthening exercises, anything that works your glutes, it’s all totally essential to recovery. If there’s a chance anyone from work could find out you could always get a dr’s note specifying the type of exercise that’s going to work for you but really, you’re off work to get your health issue resolved and this will help resolve it. That’s all you need to know.

Now you've contextualised "physical injury" then I agree with you as long as you're being sensible and getting support. If you feel well enough to do gentle exercise then it's the quickest way to recover and get back to work

I'm off long term sick due to a pain condition. My biggest issue is pain in my hands/arms which is stopping me from working. I joined a gym last week & told my manager as part of our catch ups. It's to help strengthen the muscles & hopefully reduce pain. I was praised for trying something new to help myself. Go for it!

is that not called the sick note theory where your meant to stay at home when your signed off sick from work, and how dare you go out of your house, you should be sitting all day in your pj’s doing absolutely nothing 🙄…..seriously though if you haven’t been told not to exercise and you know it will help, go to the gym. I hope you feel better soon x

being able to go in the car to a pool for some exercise is not comparable to a day or half day in the office.

in fact, the car journey might be terrible. But necessary for recovery to actually happen.

You are signed off work with an injury that will be eased by gentle exercise. Therefore it is fine to go to the gym. If someone from work sees you at the gym and says 'Why are you at the gym when you're off sick?' all you need to do is explain that you've been advised to do something gentle like swimming as part of your recovery and that it's actually sitting down all the time that's bad for you. Problem solved. Not an issue.

It really does depend on why you’re off sick and what work you do.
But if I found out my work load had doubled because my colleague was sick but she felt well enough to go to the gym, I’d be pissed off with her.
If your back is too bad to go to work, it’s too bad for the gym.
if gentle movement helps, then you can probably manage to go to work, but possibly with some leeway. (Not lifting etc)

you are coming across as taking the piss. You might not think that’s what you are doing, but you are. If you’re fit enough to go to the gym, you’re fit to work unless you’re a miner, docker or hod carrier.

That's totally different
I was allowed to sit in the car for up to 30 mins. Work involved sitting for 12hrs
I was 3 weeks post spinal surgery when I was able to drive

I’d have my GP write a note recommending the gym exercises you say are beneficial for your bad back. This would cover you in the event anyone decided to report you.

I have a disc issue, so I’m well aware that being active is needed - but I don’t understand how you’re signed off work but ok to go swimming tbh.

The only times I’ve been signed off there’s no way I was capable of going swimming, I was struggling to do my physio exercises and hobble round my house.

In the gym gym very unreasonable.

In the swimming pool/sauna/jacuzzi very sensible

Not that some people have that degree of common sense

If it aids your healing then the gym is the best place for you slowly and don't overdo anything at all
If anyone sees you then say it's doctors orders to help with your injury

It's often easier and less painful to do physio exercises in the swimming pool. Even walking up and down can be good. Swimming pool doesn't necessarily mean swimming.

The swimming pool can also be good for maintaining muscle strength whilst recovering which, especially if you tend to Hypermobility, can be deeply valuable to prevent secondary injuries

My rheumatologist would not agree with you at all. To control my condition I’m supposed to do 4 hours of cardio a week plus Pilates/stretches every day. Throughout the day. Sitting still makes it worse. Much worse.

I might not be able to do my in front of a laptop or in meetings job, but the only way I can get back to it during a flare is to keep exercising. Forcing myself to do as much activity as I can. So I absolutely would be at the gym (doing slow cycling or something suitable and controllable). But I couldn’t go to the cinema and sit through a film.

If you find your workload is doubled, that’s your employer’s fault for not managing effectively. They know a certain proportion of staff will be on leave at any one time. And on average how much sick leave, how long. So their systems should have the slack to accommodate that. If you’ve too much work, your manager needs to sort that. Don’t blame a colleague who is off. Even if they go to the gym.

I you are off with a 'bad back', as a manager I would expect you to be under a physio with prescribed exercise program for recovery.

Light excercise is good for a bad back and there are many jobs that might not allow for OP to change things. (Driving for long periods, caring, bar work etc.) If a doctor has signed her off work there is a reason. It's not like the OP is taking part in a marathon or going on an activity day out for fun, she's going to the gym to get some exercise which can strengthen her back and aid recovery.

You should do stuff that helps you get better

If you were my member of staff doing a desk job and with a bad back, I would be looking to get you an adjustable height desk so you can stand to work or sit as needed and tell you to take regular breaks to keep moving. It should not be all or nothing with work. My staff are clinical on wards but if having a bad day with for example period pain, I encourage them to come in and do stats/ office based catch up as that is better than being off sick and there are always jobs that need doing.

Would you? And how are you going to magic up a same day Dr and physiotherapy appointment for a bad back?

I hurt mine on Monday am. Absolutely agonising. OTC meds didn't touch it. GP returned my begging email on Tuesday pm. I can see a physio in 3wks if it doesn't improve this week.

However, I'm WFH so not off sick. I am managing to get up and down the stairs, make a brew etc in the daytime with lots of shrieking and swearing, but what's the alternative? That and taking the dogs to the end of the road and back is my form of gentle exercise.

If I was fit to pop to the pool for an hour, I'd still be working.

Why not be clear and honest with work and then get on with the gym ?

” I’ve damaged my knee and I have been told I need to actively rehab it but cannot sit for long periods or do stairs as it’s too painful “

then get in with it .

don’t understand why work don’t know - it’s nit like you’ve got syphillis 😂

Have to be honest, until my Partner had a bad back, I had no idea that keeping moving was the best thing!

So be aware that a lot of people might not realise that and be shocked to see someone with a back bad in a gym.

I was signed off for there months after a big surgery and part of my recovery plan was to start walking a little bit more every day then when it was safe I had do specific exercises at the gym and swimming pool. I got a reduced gym membership after my GP referred me to my local leisure centre and a trainer spent a couple of hours with me to show me what programme of exercise I should be doing.

So the gym/pool can actually be essential to being well again...

This should read ''signed off for three months''...