Thread: Asthma And exercise

Hi all, so I just have a few questions about exercise and asthma if anyone can help.

I am on inhalers for my asthma and I'm pretty overweight so I want to loose about 4 stone to get me back down to healthier weight. How would it be to best proceed with cardio training with asthma? I am pretty unfit to be fair and I just want to make sure I do it the right way so I don't put myself of doing it.

Also if anyone knows how long until you start to notice improved fitness after starting doing cardio exercises that would be great.

Many thanks

you should do resistance training if you want to look better, but only doing cardio is fine if you simply want to lose weight and don't care about muscle loss or body composition

that being said, you don't even need to do exercise to lose weight - caloric deficit is where the magic happens. try eating like 2500 calories and weigh yourself every morning for 2-3 weeks, then adjust your calories as necessary

to answer your actual question: you can do low intensity cardio like walking or bicycling until you lose more weight, then try jogging and see if you like it

Originally Posted by Isilya

How you approach exercise as someone with asthma really depends on the severity and type of asthma as well as your meds and treatment plan.

My doctor just has me take my inhaler before beginning any exercise as my asthma is specifically exercise induced asthma.(Note, not all inhalers can be used like this. Check with your doctor)

I know some who don't use an inhaler beforehand but had to work up to vigorous exercise slowly instead. Others don't have to do anything as their asthma is only triggered by allergies. It really varies by person.

I urge you to talk to your doctor about the best approach to handle your asthma regarding cardio and exercise.

i second everything here!!!!

the guys are right too - but as far as how your condition will affect your training - it's so specific to each person. your doc should tell you how to start - but sometimes docs are very conservative - so let them know how important your exercise is to you.

i find most docs want aerobic exercise / cardio included in the treatment plan for mild-moderate cases - and only discourage in the most severe cases.

i used to use my inhaler prior to cardio - but have learned to wait a bit because of the cardiac effects i don't love. that is me tho - and i have 30 years of doing sport and having asthma under my belt with LOTS of medical intervention during that time.

another issue for me - how the temperature, humidity, and allergens are on a given day. those impact me greatly with my asthma - so i sometimes have to switch it up depending on this.

not medical advice - just my opinion - but don't get on the wrong side of this - like don't wait it out to take your meds until it's too late - not worth it!