If you exercise to help you manage yo... - Lung Conditions C...
If you exercise to help you manage your lung condition , what sort of exercising do you do?
Please select all that apply:
Gardening and housework.
Pulomanarie rehab isnt an option in in Canada unless your on oxegen and final stages
Singing for breathing
What are the best sort of exercise?
Hi daveclark69 - any of the above can be really good - but always check with your GP.
I found when I'm at my worst,Tai Chi is great for loosening limbs and joints and stretching lungs,you can do it any speed you wish and it still helps...any other time I swim only if I feel upto it...I do walk albeit slowly compared to my healthy self I was a few years ago😁 If anything I would definitely recommend Tai Chi before any other.
Breathing
I do housework too,everyday.
But mostly it’s on the treadmill,40 minutes a day I’ve progressed to,and aiming to get to an hour a day😊
I go on the treadmill every evening
PR once a year, how I wish I could participate in ANY of the other examples.
Im going to try exercise in a pool hopeing it will be helpful for my breathing
I would love to join in, but the smell of chlorine takes what breath I have away, as does any strong smell, aerosols , perfume, even cooking, I use oxygen therefore I'm very limited.
Very frustrating, I could climb mountains if I had the breath.
I hope you enjoy your exercise Barbie68 and it helps you .
Gym after going to pulmonary rehab.. trying go do gym to help breathing. Can only do a limited amount
I walk with my dog nearly every day, but today there's ice and some snow on the ground, so I won't go out but I will do some housework. I live near Atlanta, Ga.
Glad to meet you..., I'm in Smyrna.
Glad to meet you, too. We have some things in common: both living in the Atlanta area and living alone, having COPD etc. I have a daughter who is now living in Dacula, but that's about an hour away but she usually visits once a week. A neighbor of mine and I call to check on each other every day and that helps a lot. I don't want to go to assisted llving yet so I'm trying to stay fit.
The most I can do is walking around indoors. Wish I could do any of the other things.
Me too jocki, does sleeping count as exercise as I'm really really good at that 😅 xx
I have a rowing machine at home. And yes, I use it!
Yep , agreed. Wish I had one but they can take up a lot of room so i use the one at the gym
The one I have at home is a Water Rower. Not cheap by any means but the advantage is that they stand up when not in use so don't take up much room; they are made of wood which looks nice; and they use water as resistance which makes a nice swishing sound. I bought it when I was diagnosed with COPD eleven years ago and it's the best thing I ever did.
Oh, that’s interesting , Wint. I’m in the UK, incidentally, I’ll google that I’m paying about £35 a month in gym fees at the minute. The ones there are quite bulky but I do get option on the equipment in place there.
Thanks
hello Wint. I am 2pray4us. That water rower sounds like a wonderful thing. I am in stage 4 copd so bathing and swimming is not even an option for me, and even the showing gets a little hard, but I do miss swimming and just being in the water, where did you get something like that and where could I find one? Do they still sell them? I live in the US. Please let me know. Thank you
Me too!!
I also do yoga.
I do exercises learned at Pulmonary rehab classes last May/June. They served me very well until I was admitted to hospital in September with severe breathing problems. Now I have to try to get back to the level I was at in September. Getting there slowly. Not bad for 82 I suppose.
I walk but only on the flat and no steps, I have been to rehab and I was pleased the way they teach you how to cope with COPD.
i walk two to three miles everyday with my dog come rain or shine on a hilly terrain.
Lucky you "friendly". Some of us can't walk 20 yards.
must admit I was three days in bed over xmas but my emergency medication( and dog) got me back on my feet again.
So true! !
Me too xx
We set up this facebook group for people who have copd & have a fitbit, We set step challenges up within the group. It's great motivation and very friendly, some of us are severe & work really hard to achieve 2,000 steps a day, some of us are mild & do 25,000 a day.
What's the name of your FB page camping girl ?
Hi Missy, I won't put the link as I don't think it's allowed .Its called Stepping out with COPD and a Fitbit.
I run an exercise class for the over 60's and although I can't do all the low impact aerobic routines my class is happy for me to call out the instructions. I am lucky to have some good leaders. We also toning work, with the emphasis on correct breathing, using weights, resistant bands, loops, balls and chairs which I can manage. We finish with mat work and Pilates. Without this class I know I would stagnate. They are mostly over 70 and I have two in their 80's. They are an inspiration. The aim of the class is to have fun and we do. I would recommend anyone to try a class such as this as it is enjoyable and no one cares if you stop and rest whenever you require.
Pilates class_ 1hour once a,week. Walking 3 times a week but not in Winter
I also do housework and put 50s and 60s c d on and dance around the kitchen lol ! Though good exercise.
After pulmonary rehab last year, I continue to do those exercises at home which I'm building up slowly.
Hi I do Pilates 3 times a week ,also walk my 2 dogs everyday. and house work !!
BREATHING
Electric push bike, Wi Fit if it's too cold or hot to go out.
hi there i just got a electric bike but wether not been ok to go out on it may i ask are you on oxygen and do you think it be ok with that
As long as you have a good backpack for your cylinder, you should be ok. You can't afford to have the cylinder moving around,, because it will affect your balance. Maybe a trike would suit you better.
I go on my bike with oxygen cylinder. If you have some type of carrier on your bike that should be perfect for your oxygen much easier than on your back
I now do Tai Chi once a week and a bit at home, Gardening when the weather gets better and Walking, also do the Pulmonary Rehab exercises I learned last year.
I walk and I look after my grand kids doing housework too
Cycling and skipping
Cycling
I also use a treadmill at home
Wow I wish I had the energy to do any of these, all I do is sleep, I have no energy to do anything xx
My main type of exercise is walking.
Exercise machine
I have just learned to do breathing exercises through this group
Cycling
I walk my dogs twice a day whatever the weather. We do 2-3 miles a day
I exercise my right hand once a week lifting my pint of real ale. There has to be some pleasure in this life.,
Gym 2 a week=2 hrs Golf 2 a week=6 hrs +walking about 5 miles a week it tires me out but keeps me going
would riding a bike be ok for exercising but have to say i am on oxygen when doing exerising
exercises from pulmonary rehab
Golf
Walking no pressure or expectations
Walking, exercise with the WII, don't sit down during the day always doing something
Walking, Gardening and Swimming here in Thailand. Very nice!
Huffing up rubbish - not so nice, wherever done!
Walking, exercise on the WII,don't sit down during the day always on the go.
calisthenics
Horse riding
I'm going to pulmonary rehab at local hospital gym, and I think it really helps. My routine there: first a 15 minute walk, then 10 minutes on rowing machine, 14 minutes on Airdyne bike, 12 minutes on recumbent bike. I think rowing machine is the toughest. When I'm not at rehab I try to walk ... sometimes as long as 5 miles, but this cold weather has limited that. One thing I find hard to believe is that Medicare has a LIFETIME limit of about 70 rehab visits. So in another month I will be done with the rehab program forever. I can join the same gym for 50 dollars a month and plan to do so. But it seems to me that Medicare would want to encourage people to continue their exercise programs. I hate, hate, hate that I have COPD, but I have come to believe that exercise is a vital component in treating this horrid disease. BTW, my pulmonary doc says my condition is "moderate" emphysema with some asthma. Not on oxygen. Use two inhalers daily and have a rescue inhaler that I use sometimes. I usually feel OK (never great) but sometimes I feel pretty damn crappy. Was diagnosed a little over one year ago -- 23 years after I had quite smoking. I'm 65 now, and long-winded with my fingers, if not my lungs. Breathe easy, everyone.
water aerobics
I do quite a bit of slow controlled body weight exercises and floor exercises at home. When I go to gym it’s the same routine. I can’t handle those cardio machines-the whole gasping for air like it’s my last breath is not my thing so I skip it. Some days my phone clocks me at over 2miles for day. Others under 1,000 steps some days better than others, you know what I mean, I’d love to surf everyday like before but I don’t nowadays it’s more like occasionally an I’ve gotta go w/a “helper” and I despise asking for help
Cycling
Started with Pulmonary rehab then went on to gym twice a week. Hoping to start singing group next month.
Excercises at home from PR three years ago. Sometimes with BLF dvd.
Cycling, including breathing exercises during climbing efforts.
Housework
Full work out in gym 3x a week. Two sessions with trainer (gp referral) who pushes me to my limit. I’ve never felt better. I have exercised in a gym almost all time since I had COPD (2006) and could not have survived without.
Yoga as well !
It is the appropriate to COPD exercises which are so important. Cardio Vascular exercise plus weight toning .
The Pulmonary Exercise classes are great. As are the Walking for Health Groups
I also climb at an indoor climbing wall, still do some cycling although a lot slower than I used to.
Vídeo Donna Williams at link youtu.be/pOAL4u_u9GI And UHN Toronto with link youtu.be/nwxy9FLBMjk
Also do daily breathing exercises and yoga.
Yoga
Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, occasional cycling, singing, flute. Have to do it for myself as in our area only those with advanced COPD are able to benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation. I was put on the waiting list by lung specialist but accessed by pulmonary rehabilitation nurse as too well, This was a big shame, as pulmonary rehabilitation is not just about exercise, but also supplies essential information, advice and support. I was left groping in the dark until I found my local breatheasy group. Only about half of those at our recent meeting had been to rehab.
I find that simply functioning, doing chores and the such allows ample opportunity for stretching and working various muscle groups and, though I don't do it on a regular basis, whenever I can, I concentrate on working those muscles vigorously.
Walking ,gardening,working ,housework,swim when I can
Cycling, Hill Walking
short tennis twice a week
I run twice a week about 5 or 6k each time
Walking mainly would love to swim but it’s too cold at the moment
Yoga
Pilates
I just love walking with my little dog, we both enjoy it, good for the lungs and keeping your weight down.
Walking mainly
Jogging/running
Try to do some housework, while singing along to the radio.
Not alot lm afraid. Theres a women l just net in my building. She does aqautics. (( exercise in swiming pool) would be helpful for my breathing?
Wii fit plus !
Nothing as my legs are very weak and I can't wear shoes because of the swelling in my legs/feet from Lipo-Lymphodema
I sing in a ladies choir and also the church choir.
Leicestershire Pulmonary Rehab are the best, their physios are caring and completely understand their subject. 10/10!
walKing on treadmill
Pilates and static bike in my sitting room!
I sweep and mop the floors, and use the treadmill to exercise,as it can be difficult to walk outside,due to rheumatoid arthritis and spinal stenosis.
As well as dog walking (albeit slowly), I enjoy gardening and every Thursday I attend cardiac gymnastics because I have diastolic dysfunction.
When I joined this gymnastics class in 2014, I was full of fluid, unable to walk the length of myself and was very unwell with breathlessness. Now I am wearing my own shoes again (I had gone up two sizes because of the fluid) and although my heart and lung diseases are not going away, I am stable and feel much better with exercise.
Tonight a woman joined our class, she reminded me of myself when I joined because she was really struggling. I asked her not to give up, just to come every week and do what she can do and rest as often as needed because slowly, she will start to notice a difference in what she can actually do.
Exercise won’t cure her conditions but in my case and those of my fellow gymnastics class mates, exercise has made positive differences to the quality of our lives. We can breathe more deeply, efficiently and more controlled. We are aware of our limits but constantly challenge our boundaries. The fact that we have a doctor in attendence; who exercises as part of the group, gives up the confidence to do a little more each week. In my opinion, almost everyone can exercise, so if your not already involved, get involved, you won’t regret it.
I’m 73.I’ve had IPF for 8-10 years now.Prognosis was 3-5years.Was put on oxygen therapy for walking etc.Opted not to keep it as It made me feel worse.Decided to use Buteyko breathing method.Stopped any physical effort except for muscle tension exercises to keep muscle tone up.Given up singing career and holidays abroad,(advised not to use planes).Too old for lung transplant.Making best of life now🙂
I have stage four emphysema and have oxygen 24hours every day but today I began my fourth session of pulmonary rehab . I am sure these sessions have kept me alive and hope to do at least one ten week session every year for years to come 😊
Have our own Breathe Easy Exercise class.
I use my stationary bike 20-30 minutes a day. Garden and housework.
I am a full time cleaner with bronchectasis 18 years, and I think by constantly working keeps me fit get tired at end of day but I am sure it helps me
Yoga
yoga
Mindfulness
Cycling on a road bike in addition to cycling on local errands
I try to move about as much as possible. I have a large garden and 3 whippet to walk!
walking and singing
Target shooting
+ pilates and classical ballet
Dancing finding it more difficult to excercise due to reoccurring chest Infections
I sing for an hour or two it stops the coughing and I breath better. If I stop it for a few day I get the cough back etc
Walking ..swimming
I use the gym on Tuesdays for general exercise using toning machines including treadmill and on Saturdays I work on my core muscles. I still cough, (Bronchiectasis ) particularly when using the treadmill, but I feel better when I've finished.
Exercise Bike and Cardiovascular exercises
Treadmill 5 times a week
Exercise Bike and Cardiovascular exercises
I do believe in the power of exercise, my choice walking. I was diagnosed with Alpha One Antitrypsin Deficiency aged 46, aged 47 they gave me 2 yrs to live. Not knowing anything about the genetic condition and no voice on it here offered me little to no advice, I would of died with end stage emphysema, at a very young age. I was at end stage being diagnosed, I bounced back and up primarily after quitting smoking and started to walk, daily every day ..my end stage switched to severe, my lungs are severely damaged but walking every day and moving to the coast has without doubt kept me stable and saved this young persons life...I encourage every lung patient to walk..I got a dog so no excuses!! I have 3 now! all small and go at my own pace with oxygen , you could say I am addicted to it. I know there is a Japanese study about to be released this year sometime that they have proven walking, excercise with severe lungs regenerates the lung ..it certainly has done something to me, I was housebound 2 yrs prior to the better moves I made..don't sit around and think...its the worst thing you are doing to you..get out punch the air and move. I am hoping to be a part of case study as very few alpha's ever come back from end stage without aid of double lung transplant, and carry on to remain stable..living proof this works better than any drug out there for aatd today.
I follow the regime of the pr i.e. weights, tension band, sitting and standing, and using the stairs as steps plus stationary bike
Jogging and strength training
Dancing (I dance for the joy of it, not for my lungs - but I'm sure it helps)
Bicycle
Use bicycle and housework
Even if an exhasurbation I use calls to lift to help get upper body strength
Bicycle 
Yoga and stretches to open out the back and lungs
I also go to Alexander technique training sessions and try to do this as well as osteoporosis and respiratory exercises at home.
Home exercise using the bodyblade
I try to use the exercise bicycle
Walking,gym swimming
Every morning for 40 mins at home
Arthritis Exercise class
Arrthritis exercise class. Maintenance exercise following p
Walking and light gardening, it can be hard walking but, it does help lung function. When I say walking, I mean once a day and not on cold damp days like these.
lift weights while sitting
I have built it up since I stopped smoking to 20 miles a week
As there is no exercise class that focuses on breathing and strengthening the lungs and chest, in this area I do the exercises that I did when I went to a Pulmonary Rehab class some years back.
Gentle years yoga concentrates on breathing and is excellent for older people. Very good class in central Oxford.
Golf 3-4 times a week in the summer. Less often in the winter. This is when I do my rebounding (mini trampoline), sometimes using light weights.
Yoga
Archery
Archery which is very relaxing, also I have to walk 40yds to retrieve my arrows each time, which mounts up during the session.
I have a vibro machine, I kind of shake it all about also very good for shifting the "gunk" off my lungs
I do Yoga. I find the breathing exercises help a lot, and are similar to the exercises I was taught by the physiotherapist. All the bending and stretching helps me to clear my lungs of mucus as well as loosening up my joints.
Singing for breathing and following blf exercise dvd
walking and indoor exercise bike
I play the trumpet, and saxophone
My son Andy does press ups and walks
If you have dyspnoea [ heart failure] PAH & possibly microvascular angina [ not diagnosed] exercise could be prematurely fatal surely? Just moving is exercise to me after heart failure not recognised by NHS & the spa steam room & sauna .my Late Mother with severe MID she was hoisted everywhere couldn't speak swallow cognition gone.And she was very sporty then polymyalgia rheumatica & MID .Trying for oxygen via MS Therapy centre but it is like getting blood out of a stone as Insurance companies are dictating.Yes I went to the meeting s as member of GP Panel & LINK re chronic conditions like COPD & Diabetes & Would you believe they wanted to replace the Specialists with Swimming Lessons? NONE of the patients & their Charities were there to raise issues of safety in this Policy?Just an elderly Asian Diabetic man and myself we couldn't believe it ?And the Manager in GP surgery would not let me feedback. SO lovely ?!
At present time I admit I am the most sedentary I've ever been. I know what I need to do but for a sheepish,silly reason I just keep putting an exercise plan to one side. I will get there- I need to.
And Stott Pilates
Static cycle, rowing machine and walking (including hills)
Yoga, bike riding, not to manage copd but to keep in reasonably good health to feel good and enjoy life and hopefully slow down lung decline.
Walking but very,very limited especially in colder months but going to force myself to walk much further,once the chilly air has gone.
As well as walking, swimming and gardening, I also do a fair amount of kayaking. I'm approaching 65 and have been a qualified swimming coach and life saving instructor for around 45years, although I never actually worked at this. As a breathing controlled exercise this is probably the best thing anyone could do to try and help themselves and it helps at any level.
