Hi all, I have been going to gyms on and off for years now, and my favourite piece of kit is the Concept2 rowing machine.
On the 8th July 2009, I set my best ever record, which is rowing for 30 mins and covering a distance of 7308 metres. I have been to the gym this morning, rowed for 30 mins (non-stop) and covered a distance of 6250 metres. Definitely gone downhill a bit, presumably due to the IPF, but still not a bad time/distance.
When I saw my consultant (Dr Paul Beirne), he was delighted I had taken up exercise again, as I had stopped for almost a year.
I aim to continue at the gym, as it gives the lungs a workout, and I see it as a way of monitoring my condition. If I cant do the same time and distance in twelve months time, then things are going downhill. If I can then I will be happy.
I realise many people that blog on this great site have lungs in much worse condition than my own, but would love to hear from anyone else that goes to the gym.
Best wishes to you all, and enjoy this beautiful summer weather,
Tony
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i tried the gym a few times but unfortunately found that, for me, it burned too many calories that I am not in a position to lose, so gave up in favour of more specific lung exercises with a group and at home. If you have the lung function and the energy to do it, all power to you!
Tony you are remarkable and should be proud of your achievements, well done. Don't forget we naturally lose some lung function with age but also there are bound to be days we do better than others, air quality can play a big part in how well we do, when pollution and pollen count is high it usually does affect things.
I go to lung and cardiac exercise group in term time and another dedicated gym for resistance training. Its so important to keep as fit as we can as we age to help keep as well as we can.
Keep up the good work
• in reply to
For those who currently are finding exercise difficult, can I add that in the cardiac and exercise group I attend, there as those with only 23% lung function using oxygen. So even though not every one will be able to achieve quite as much as Tony, there are still great rewards and benefits to be gained, even with a lower lung function.
When people de-condition it's very hard to imagine being able to achieve any level of fitness ever again (I know I have been there too) but it is possible and the best place to start would be by asking your doctor to refer you to a pulmonary rehabilitation course. I can't recommend this enough, its so important for our health and can lead on to much greater fitness level achievements.
I go to the gym every day (or certainly aim to!) as excercise has always been an important part of my life and I want to keep it up. It also definitely helps me cough up phlegm. I have just been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis and have been encouraged to keep up the exercise as much as possible. Apart from the positive endorphins it gives off, I can tell it gives me more energy to deal with this condition. I'd be interested to hear from Bronchiectasis sufferers might recommend specific exercises.
It's great to know there are people with serious lung conditions who have a positive attitude about exercise. Keep up the good work, and thanks for the replies,
Tony
Congratulations on all your hard work. I used to do a lot of swimming walking and aerobics but sadly can do them no longer (on consultants advice) while its lovely to see people who can still exercise it, it is also important I think to remember those who can not, maybe they have other health problems or are in the later stages of lung disease . If so please dont feel your doing some thing wrong listen to your body and only do what you can. I spent a long time feeling guilty about having to give up exercising to the point I ended up seriously depressed.,it was only having a long chat with a consultant during an admission into hospital that made me realise that it was no longer my fault and that the illness had taken this decision out of my hands that I learnt to come to terms with So exercise if you are able do not beat yourself up about it if you no longer can Best wishes Julie
Hi Julie, I admire you too for the exercise you used to do. Honestly I do realise that lots of people on this website are far worse off than me, and their lung conditions are far more advanced than mine. When people ask me how I am, my usual reply is that I feel ok, but I tell people that I am concerned how I may be in ten years time. I am 56 now, ten years I will have just retired, (unless I finish work earlier), but I do not want to be a tired "old man" in ten years time because of this disease. So while I can, I will keep up the exercise, and try to think positive.
Hi Tony. I too go to the gym and do about 45 minutes cardio vascular three times a week. I focus on the treadmill, bike and rowing machine.
Well done on your level of exercise.
I am just getting over a chest infection so I think I will need to make up lost ground as I haven't been able to go for 4 weeks. I'm hoping to go tomorrow even if just for 20 minutes.
I also do a lot of gardening and have a full size allotment.
Lynne xx
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Bloody brilliant - wish I could get my husband to go to the gym - have a feeling his fathers day present maybe a treadmill!! Well done! TAD xx
I always use the gym and swim over the winter. Concept 2 is a fab machine for all round exercise. I hope you are committed to exercise for the rest of your life?
During the summer i get out and about mostly cycling and walking. I have recently bought a motorbike and currently learning how to ride it.
Atb
Kevin
I swim and gym. Although I've struggled to get to the gym of late because works just been too busy. I love them both and get quite grumpy when I can't get.
I too thought I'd not be able to do much but it's amazing how much your lungs let you do especially if you aren't thinking about how much they can do!
I too love the concrpt2 rower - I'm just not very good!
I like to go to the gym but haven't been able to go for a few years, firstly because of chest infections. Got the bronchiectasis diagnosis and treatment, was just feeling well enough to start again when my back went and I had to have major spinal surgery! The gym won't let me go back until I've had my yearly review, which is now only a few weeks away. Fingers crossed for the go ahead!
Sorry to hear that Richard. I will keep at it until the time comes when I am unable to do so.
Going for a full lung function test soon, and I must get them to explain the results in detail. Have had quite a few, and all I know is there has been some worsening of the lungs.
hi well done i go to the gym 3 times a week get rid of 300 calorys on the tread mill for about 40 mins then 10 mins on bike few small weights but strange i cant seem to do more then 5 mins on the rowing maching will just have to keep at it.
My problem is i burn off all them calories and where i feel so good when i leave the gym i go and have a few pints.....not good ????
I think most of us are guilty of burning off the calories, and then eating or drinking something full of calories. I enjoy a pint (I work at a brewery) and I love a Chinese takeaway.
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