By Jason Clements, Owner/Manager Bluewater Fitness
While there are no specific guidelines at this time put out by the CDC regarding fitness protocols post-vaccination, it’s very important that individuals use common sense, and assess how their body feels in the immediate hours and days after receiving the shot. Differing experiences from registered dietitian nutritionists who received the vaccine and actively follow a structured workout regimen emphasizes the importance of individualized protocols when it comes to modifying your workouts directly post-vaccination to ensure you prevent injury and allow your immune system the time it needs to return to normal.
Lauren Manaker, a registered dietitian nutritionist in South Carolina, received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine and had very different reactions after each dose. She notes that with the first dose, she was able to continue her same workout regimen that day, whereas with the second dose, she was extremely fatigued and unable to work out for two full days.
Cara Harbstreet, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Missouri, experienced more significant muscle soreness that required her to take a planned rest day after receiving her first dose of the vaccine. While she did note feeling some muscle soreness with the second dose, she did not have the extreme fatigue the others experienced, and was able to continue her strength training circuit that day.
Melissa Groves Azzaro, a registered dietitian nutritionist in New Hampshire, received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine and reported very mild muscle soreness after the injection site post-vaccination, but no real fatigue. While she’s yet to receive the second dose, she has heard from close family members that they were fatigued for up to three days after the second dose. As she gears up for her second dose later this week, she’s front loading her workouts to ensure she can still get her desired movement in.
Regardless if you receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, the way your body will individually respond to each dose will be unique. While most symptoms included complaints of muscle soreness and fatigue, it’s important to be cognizant of how your body feels and adjust your workout regimen as necessary.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to the question of how the COVID-19 vaccine will affect your next workout. Based on experience from avid fitness enthusiasts and experts in the field, getting the vaccination should not derail your fitness progress. It might require you to engage in some modified exercises or take a rest day or two, but in most cases, you can return to normal activity within a few days.
Reference verywellfit.com
