Do you attend any formal exercise cla... - Lung Conditions C...
Do you attend any formal exercise class in your area on a long term regular basis?
Am managing to exercise myself
I did a couple of years ago but they ran out of money and just did other areas 40miles away
Try to get a walk everyday and swimming at least once a week.
Exmouth is the largest town in Devon, with a large number of retired who bring their lung problems with them!, but there is NO funding for P Rehab. The equipment at the Gym, and the pace of exercises there is too frightening for someone with lungs as bad as mine.
Actually there is something in my area and I do plan to start going next week. I also walk 4-5 miles a day so do try to keep active.
I don't know if there is anything in our area as its never been mentioned by my lung function nurse,but do take dogs out not as far these days as I get out of breath and have trouble walking.
I go to Tia Chi every week,and also do exercises at home
I live in Edinburgh there is only the PR courses and when you finish them you can be refered to a gym but that is only for a short time. But nothing long term.
Hi I have put a referral into my doctors to go to the plumber rehabilitation centre near me don't know when I get a letter for assessment because there is so many people waiting to go
Camilla1
It is left open to me. I have a bad back resulting in loss of height and curvature of the spine. Don't want to risk causing any damage
I attended regularly for some years. At the moment my diagnosis is being looked into so am having a break.
I am hoping to start a class in my locale linked to bronchiectasis rehabilitation.
Have attended one brief pul. rehab. session-awaiting reenrolment for another.
I did a rehab course but was too ill to get anything out of it. Had to stop going. Don't think another course or any long term exercise classes are available. Torbay, Devon.
Not sure what is meant by "formal exercise class", given that many people affected by lung diseases can only do gentle movements to avoid distressing and rapid oxygen desaturation. I would like to see availability of special courses/classes linked to the patient's Oxygen Assessment test which includes the 6 minute walking test, if my memory serves me right.
i do it myself now
No can't afford to go to gym in park
i do it all by myself
walk slowly to local gym and do exercises that I can manage about 3 times a week. My breathing has improved as I have also lost 3 stone in weight.
Exercise, no matter how gentle to start with, is one of the main ways of dealing with copd. I am 64.
I'm waiting for a letter for PR sessions but I walk my dogs every day, at least once a day. I also do stuff at home, treadmill, trampette, step and free exercises. I don't always feel like doing them as I work every day, but I feel so much better if I do.
After Pulmonary Rehap. l got a GP referral and now go to the gym twice a week for 1 or 2 hours of gentle exercise the staff keep an eye on us with problems .There is a group of us about 6 meet there on Thursday for tea and biscuits after and the Leisure Centre encourages us this is in Haverhill uk
I attend a breathing exercise class, privately and on a one to one basis
I am waiting for a place on a pulmonary rehabilitation course
Prefer exercising at home or out on walks - that way I can exercise at times that suit me and at an intensity that is right for me. I like to feel the same as any other person rather than like 'a patient' when it comes to my daily life.
Our BE group set up a class which is now full andso we've started another. A significant difficulty is getting suitable trainers. We need to get the message out there that there's interestingand useful employment for trainers who will take e.g.the Loughborough course.
Hi folks hope you are all keeping well, yes I exercise two days a week in the R V H in Belfast I'm being assessed for a lung transplant at the moment and they have told me to lose some weight and exercise whenever I can so to date I have lost about 12 kilos so I'm very happy about this and also I'm feeling an awful lot better so get exercising if you can you'll fell great 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
Lucky you; I'd give anything to have my lungs back! Well done on losing 12 kilos; brilliant. I've found yoga exercises help with the lung function as it opens up the chest; you can do these sitting down, and you can find them free on You Tube. Just pick the ones you can do and leave the ones you can't. Helps with joint flexibility and stretching muscles without getting out of breath. I use Daniel Groom's yoga exercises (danielgroomyoga). Good luck with the transplant. Keep us up to date.
I'm waiting to go back on pr course.
I went about 3 years ago,but never felt any benefit from it.
Now I'm much worse of course,I'm hoping it will help.i do excersises at home,but don't think it's the same.
Wish I could !! X
Manchester is well served there are a lot of diffrent group to choose from
I run a singing-for-exercise class which is structured like many exercise classes, with warm-ups, building up to a challenging section, and then slow downs.
Thanks everyone for your responses so far, this is all really helpful.
I can't vote on this as all the categories are not covered. Such as actually having a rehab course but not always allowed to attend.
Try finding these online if you have a computer. Go to You Tube and look for yoga exercises (try danielgroomyoga). You'll find some of them are very similar to the rehab exercises. They definitely help and have transformed my life. I'll never again be able to do what I used to do, but yoga has certainly given me a new lease on life and my yoga teacher is very supportive of my health problems.
Thanks, Dee. Sounds promising and will investigate. Slowly but surely I am seizing up and recognise this is my own fault. You give a very encouraging picture.
Juney, we have two choices; either sit and vegetate or take a positive attitude. This time last year I felt so bad I just wanted to die, but I'm nothing if not cussed, so I looked on Streetlife for my area and found Daniel, my yoga teacher. From going to yoga I am now involved in helping to plan a meditation garden, so more things to look forward to. You have to be positive (not always easy) but the alternative is worse!
We have a GP referral exercise class with medically trained instructors. I have done it once before and managed to slowly get a lot better, and they discharged me. I was then supposed to join the Gym where the class was held and carry on, but I went back to work and found it too much to fit in. I know I'm not very fit, so when I visited my GP I asked about the classes and she is referring me back. So now I'm waiting to hear from them.
I am still looking for one that isn't too costly as I know using the Gym makes a huge improvement to my health, well being and stamina.
I have Copd, asthma,and bronchiactis, I went on a pilot scheme three months ago I do believe it was funded by the British lung foundation l would really recommend anyone who has lung disease to try and do exercises it really helps.example for me the three months I only once had to use my rescue pack where as before I started I was using my rescue pack nearly every month,also I met some lovely friends and we go at the moment once a week it's at a leisure centre we do what ever exercises we want to do then we have a coffee. And a chat , so if anyone gets an oppertunity to go i do recommend it .I thank the British lung foundation and my gp for the opportunity to go there. Margaret
I go to an exercise class every week. I have been going for about 7 years. It helps to meet people in the same position as you and we all have a laugh together.
strangely enough NHS Scotland has invited me to attend a Pulmonary Rehab thingy on Monday coming, !st visit is an assessment then 6-8 weeks of 2 sessions per week, showing various exercises to help me breath more easily, apparently, oh well better late than never?
Go for it daveymac55! You'll feel a lot better, and if you have a computer you can find these type of exercises on You Tube, so no cost apart from broadband.
have been going once a week to gym classes in our local hospital for about 4 years now blf
instructor charges £20 .00 for every 5 weeks that you attend
I did attend a pulmonary rehab class a few years ago but there was no ongoing classes. Last year I was referred for one to one pulmonary rehab whilst using CPAP (my consultants recommendations) as I have Tracheomalacia, but I was only able to attend one session as the community health service trust had cuts to their budget and they were unable to facilitate this.
I was referred for Pulmonary exercises from the Chest Hospital and asked my GP but none were available in the East End of London.
They might still do them on the Isle of Dogs - at the clinic opposite Asda.
I'm not aware of anything available. I might be interested if I knew of any supervised classes.
I attend a choir especially for people with chronic lung conditions so we spend the first part of the session doing breathing exercises. Everyone goes at their own pace and it's enjoyable too. We can also take part in a half hour recorder session, again blowing good for your lungs. It's free and takes place in the physio gym of my hospital.
I do as much exercise as I can manage as my muscles decondition very quickly without it. So weekly: I do a PR maintenance session which we can go to after having done the standard PR training, and I do one more PR workout at home, a weekly table tennis women's session and also just about to start playing in the league (4th division haha). When I started the TT I had my oxygen pack on my back but now with the regular exercise Ive got off the O2 altogether. Much fitter now and Ive just done a Nordic walking taster session and signed up for a course. I walk (non-Nordically!) about 3/4 mile about 4 days a week. It all adds up.
Well done 02Trees. You're an inspiration, but people have to motivate themselves. It's no good saying that there aren't any classes; if you have a computer you can find pulmonary exercises; if you don't, you can always use a computer at your local library, or see if they have any dvds to loan out.
Yep, you have to ask around, use libraries, etc. I found my table tennis class on Streetlife. I like the balance of having the regular PR maintenance with people with similar health conditions, but also trying to fit in with "normal" people at the table tennis, and the Nordic walking which I have only just started - I find the women at TT very friendly and encouraging. Thanks for your reply Dee, hope you're keeping well.
I go to Pilates twice a week. Excellent class as it involves controlled breathing but does not involve getting out of breath! My spirometry results have improved since I have been doing this.
I don't but I have a membership to 24hr fitness
I started cycling with Wigan active living just over a year ago and now cycle with a club
I am a Personal Trainer of long standing and therefore PASSIONATE about the power of exercise. Any exercise. It doesn't have to be a set/scheduled format although encouragement from others can be very motivational. I am happy to advise anyone wishing to embark on an increased activity programme. I was diagnosed with PF some nine years ago and am using my nebuliser as I write this.
Due to disability the able bodied sports facilities near me are not suitable
At my last ATOS assessment, the "Nurse" who has since been reported to the RCN, conducts these exercise classes. She claimed in the assessment that COPD wasn't life threatening in any way.
Sheffield has excellent pulmonary rehab, 10 sessions tailored to you, great staff, have been 3 times in last 5 years and it has helped
Arent any free ones so I use the television programs daily.
Did for 2 yrs but buses changed so no bus there is one in my town but again no bus and too far to walk.
Don't know of anything , and heath centre so money conscious it would not be available to me should there be one.
Jo.
Are there any class in north Birmingham
I attend a class weekly but my wife who has multiple myeloma finds it too hard so we manage a stroll together daily and I also manage a swim weekly so we try to keep as well as we can. The consultant who sees my wife every 28 days in line with her medication cycle always checks that she has her stroll. Pity that more do not do more than they presently do!
The doctor has ordered therapy for me thinking that there was a local site however the department called this morning to inform me the nearest is about 15 miles away (30-40 minutes) and the only other site is over an hour away. To go 3 to 5 times a week as is suggested by the doctor requires a minimum of 3.5 hours of travel each day to take the transportation available to me. Of course, I don't have anything else to do most days, so I'll go as often as I can. With multiple medical facilities, hospitals, clinics, rehab centers, doctors offices with extra space I don't see why they are neglecting this very vital aspect of care for COPD patients.
yes i have just joined a gym just a stones throw away from where i live, i find it very relaxing
Just finished p.r and waiting to start a maintenance programmed by bhf , which will mean for £4 per session you can use all gym equipment
I go our local gym ,where the pulmary rehab classes are held ,my first class was back in July 2008. And I've done the course quite few times after serious infections ,,,,but after doing the first class i started to go into the gym itself twice a week for an hour each day,,,,I wouldnt be here now if it wasn't for the PR team and the trainers at the gym who keep a close eye on me,
My area of Yorkshire offers a 6 week PR course but no follow up was offered. As my COPD is now very severe I would not be able to access a gym independently even if there was one close enough (which there is not).
I pay to attend chair yoga. There is nothing supplied by BLF.
I am seriously disabled ;-(
I walk every day, weather and health permitting. Do gentle exercises at home.
I haven't been offered anything funded. I go to Pilates once a week and walk 1.5 hrs a day.
I go to pulmonary rehab twice a week at the hospital - it is monitored exercise - so safe for anyone who has lung disease. I use a NuStep, a recumbent machine - work arms and legs - it has helped me immensely. We also have treadmills and stationary bicycles. There is a small fee - I am lucky to have this available.
Haven't been offered anything at all
Pilates and a community choir
I play golf approx 3 times a week in the summer. I have a rebounder at home, don't use it as much as I should unfortunately.
With dysponea sounds like unintelligent advice from the non medically trained who think they know it all .Look at the survival rates we are one of the worst.I have been to the link Meetings where they wanted to replace Specialist appts with unmonitored swimming lessons for those with COPD & Diabetes .
Now those being used for this madness are realising the risk so discriminate.It can be seen in closure of A& Es in favour of Minor Injuries who refuse to deal with the respiratory.When it takes years to address fact that CPAP machine ineffective What is going on? While GPs don't deal with the Respiratory too telling you too move on why isn't CQC dealing with this health & safety risk? What is the point of assessing & not following up.What is the point of NHS Constitution when hippocratic oath no longer taken.
if you live in east manchester there is a walking group at the velodrome this is inside which is ideal for copd suffers.there is a yoga group at ryecroft hall Audenshaw this is geared toward people who are more mature .theres a Ty chi class at St Stephen school Droylsden .there are PARs classes at the velodrome but you do need a referral from you doctor. There is a forum called STREETLIFE which is very useful to find out what is going on in your own area. My own experience off copd is there is no cure and no magic pill you just have to take back control and do what ever works for you what works for one person might not work for someone else but that's what makes life interesting don't you think
I'd like to attend formal exercise classes locally as I find group sessions more motivating. Unfortunately the classes are held during working hours, so I'm unable to attend any of them. I try to exercise at home or alone at the gym.
Had to choose the 3rd Option.
After my PR I got a referral from my GP for two sessions a week in my local gyms the best thing I could have done it realy has helped my breathing and general health tremendously .
I have attended PR twice & would do so again. I used to go to an copd exercise group ; funded by the local authority & Health. It was very good unfortunately the funding was stopped. A charity took it on but.they had no idea about chest issues. I stopped going. I walk every day mostly managing 10000 steps. I also attend movement to music once a week. I prefer to join in older people's groups , rathe than be a patient.
I play golf regularly, despite arthritis in my hip as well as a lung condition. Exercise does seem to help both.
The 'vicious cycle of inactivity' that the BLF publicise is true in my experience
Locally we have access to a Pulmonary Rehab group, a Walking For Health group which organises free 'Easy' walks on even surfaces, and a charity that holds Breathlessness workshops.
Its really getting to know that these opportunities exist, so often I speak to people who haven't even been told about PR
I attend a yoga class once a week and have purchased an exercise chair and piyo programme to manage my health at home.
I have attended a Rehab course organised by our local health board for the last 3 weeks, and have seen and felt the benefits already. Have 3 weeks to go and will continue exercising when the course finishes.
Not been offered anything full up all the time waiting to go
I try and go and least twice a month when im not at wotk
Our local council (LCC) sports centre run various fitness classes for people with chronic lung, heart problems or a disability. These classes incl chair based exercises, aqua mobility, simple circuits to start with/or stay with. You are assessed by a trained coach first of all, usually you need to be referred by your Dr. At our sports centre for anyone referred by their Dr the first 12 weeks is free, thereafter we buy a 'Go Card' for £10 a year and only pay £3 for the class. Not sure if all Councils have this subsidised offer but no harm in checking.
I can tell you after being at these classes for over two years the fun and laughter we have in that 50 min is well worth the effort to go. We exercise to 50/60s music, usually singing along, you can take a water/sit down break at anytime, and of course you soon make friends as well. Also, it not only gets me out and doing but having COPD my lung function has increased which in turn has helped with my breathing n walking, I'm not as tired as I use to be. Many pluses then so please check out your local council. Hope this info is of help to someone. Best wishes to all especially those living alone.
There are a lot of Yoga classes in my area of South Bucks, but the classes I tried to get into the instructors were not happy to have the 'responsibility' I suppose. I am still very mobile and active although on oxygen(I think that put them off). No exercise classes for people with breathing problems. Good new is I am able to go to PR in High Wycombe, not far from me, starting soon, but it's not long term.
I have a personal trainer whom I see once a week every week for half an hour a session. She sets me a schedule of exercises to do for the week at home for half an hour a day.. These are functionally based exercises to keep me supple and fit. My trainer is briiliant and encouraging and I find this way of exercising very motivating.
Personal trainers are available in most parts of the UK, and many of them are happy to go to the client's home. They work out a programme to suit the individual client's needs and abilities.
i go to the gym 3 times a week with my mates
I go to a Tai CHi class weekly and Walk my dogs as well as swim.
although there is its short term at a reasonable cost then it doubles in price.i rarely go as I only don't work Fridays and Sundays need to do things like shopping washing that I cant fit in the week and Sunday I'm knackered
