Are there any studies that suggest going to the gym if you have the
common cold is hurtful, helpful or neutral?

Hello sal930-ga,

Thank-you for your question.

There have indeed been a number of studies regarding exercising (or
going to the gym) when you have a cold.  The general opinion appears
to be you are better off taking a break from exercising than doing
strenuous exercise.

Your body's mechanism to fight the cold - the immune system - works
best when your body is not being stressed.  Therefore pushing your
body less (working out less in the gym) will allow your immune system
to fight your cold more quickly.

There is an excellent article written and reviewed by two medical doctors here:
http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/12/1685_52519.htm?printing=true

There is similar advice here:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/62/71697.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_6950_exercise-sick.html
http://www.aboutaerobics.com/exercise-dos-donts.html
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0218.htm
http://www.insidetri.com/train/tips/articles/2019.0.html
http://www.kellicalabrese.com/articles/misc_6756.shtml
http://web.archive.org/web/20050312000923/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/032404_hs_sickexercise.html

If you require any further assistance on this subject please do not
hesitate to ask for clarification.

It's not very friendly because you would probably pass it on.

Some years ago, when running was the fad, a doctor wrote a book about
running. He said the way to tell when you should exercise is by
measuring your heart pulse rate.  Depending upon your age, the mazimum
heart rate without risk will vary.

The usual danger level was considered to be 90% of 220 minus your age,
though some said it should be a lower percentage. When I am doing
manual labor at our house in Mexico, I do not let it get above around
135, and I am 63.

if you measure your heart  rate, and find out what normal is when you
feel good, any time that rate exceeds that level under normal
exercise, it is telling you that you need more rest. This works no
matter what your problem is.

A heart rate of 135?

That sounds very high to me!

Mine's about half that.