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Do You Have Any Tips for Exercising with Oxygen ?
It has been so long since I have been able to walk outside for exercise without carrying oxygen on my back. Sure, I could wheel my oxygen portable concentrator behind me, but this just would lead to me tripping over the cord or the tank holder getting stuck in the cracks of the road and tipping over (yes, both have happened to me before!)
With oxygen attached to me, I have found that I have to get creative when exercising with the oxygen on. It is easier for me to be hooked up to my home oxygen when exercising because I am able to use my higher flow setting. If I go to the gym, I use my portable concentrator and plug it in but have to stick to light activity such as stationary bike, or light stretches and yoga.
Some things that have been helpful for me when using oxygen while working out is wearing the oxygen behind my head instead of in front of my chest. This prevents it from either falling off my face (even when it’s pulled tighter under my chin) or the cord jumping up and hitting me in the nose. I make sure to put my oxygen up higher (which my doctor recommended). I even get creative and wrap the cord a few times around a treadmill or use tape to secure it so I don’t trip over it and face plant.
I enjoy exercises like pilates, cardio yoga (Jillian Michaels has a great video ) , walking videos, and strength building with light weights (anywhere from 2 to 5 pounds). I stay away from exercises that cut off the use of my shoulders. I use my shoulders to help me breathe. Doing something like a push up limits my ability to breathe without the help of these accessory muscles. Even something like a jumping jack and having my arms above my head leaves me feeling very fatigued. I also modify many of my workouts. The down and up motion of a squat makes me very light headed. I love squats and love my booty looking good so I try to do smaller pulses as opposed to larger movements.
What are some ways you get creative with your oxygen attached to you while exercising? What exercises can you handle? What exercises are hard for you either because of the oxygen cord or because of the breathing involved?
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11 Replies
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Behind the head is a great idea for the cannula. I used to kick over my tank regularly when I tied to walk distances so I went to the gym instead and put it next to the machine- turned up while on the treadmill. I used a 25 foot cord for yoga so I could move around without getting yanked backwards.
What I learned from having had PAH and going through yoga teacher training which included a long, detailed anatomy portion is that putting your hands above your head raises your blood pressure so you should use one body part at a time- legs or arms but not both together. Squats will do that too; maybe try bridges instead. It is a yoga thing but has the same effect; Yoga Journal website has poses shown. I also gardened with a long line last year and the O2 cranked up to 5; humidity in Illinois is a summertime killer.
I don’t know where you live but maybe you could find a yoga therapist or an adaptive yoga teacher to show you some ways to accommodate- if they know anything about PH but you may have to teach them.-
Kaye,
I love your advice about keeping a journal for exercise. I’m sure there would be some patterns in my level of energy throughout the week. Usually I start off the week with better energy and feel a crash and have to push myself to exercise on the other days! The yoga and finding a teacher who knows how to adapt to my various needs would be great to look into too. Anything that can help me practice my breathing would be a huge plus.-
I just have to work on getting my webpage up: yoga for PH (among other issues).
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Kaye,
please post the links as soon as they are up! Such a great way to help others and spread awareness 🙂 Thank you for that! Looking forward to seeing it.
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i found this very helpful…i am on oxygen and am trying to figure out how i can go in the community pool this summer. I so enjoyed using the noodle last summer.. Built my arms up
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Rosemary,
that’s great that you found something that you enjoy doing ! I have seen some water aerobics classes being done at the gym. I feel like the water would help with overall bloodflow and circulation! Do you feel better exercising in the water with the added buoyancy?
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The most effective way I have found , after 15 years of pulmonary / cardiac rehab , walking regimes, and trying to exercise at home, with little benefit is to exercise in a pool. I was loosing ground no matter what I did. Then I started working out with a friend in swimming pools. I use a concentrator on 3liter flow (I am usually on 2 liter, continuous flow). I use 25 to 50 feet of tubing…it floats. I use 2 swim noodles. I can do ballet type exercise kicks while holding the noodles like parallel bars, in 3-4 ft. Of water. I put 1 noodle between my legs and 1 noodle under my arms and go in deeper water to and ride my “bike”, while moving my arms from side to side against the water resistance. This also helps core muscles if you add a little twist. And it is gentle cardio. It is not as draining as working on land, probably because the effects of gravity are reduced a little. And I find it relaxing. Also my friend has had hip replacement surgery and needs the exercise to maintain range of motion. We both find it easier to be consistent with a friend😊. My 6 minute walk has actually improved! We are both retired Occupational Therapists and have found this adaptive water exercise to really work. Be creative and have fun!
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Barbara,
I can see from these comments that you and Rosemary have that in common with using the pool for exercise. I have a pool at my apartment and also have one at my mom’s house. I would love to give something like that a try! I wonder if they have any online youtube videos to follow along for pool exercises? I’m going to check that out today actually and see if I can find anything. If I do I will post some links for those that aren’t as into group classes like me!-
Oh my gosh Barbara…your post was a godsend. I was on another site earlier and this woman was asking about swimming with her two little ones in the pool and the only answer we had was use a long hose! I just went back and posted about you and your noodles. I am from Galveston and have missed my water! I’m going swimming and I’m certain the ladies on the other site will too! How innovative.
Thank you.
Karen Loftin -
Karen,
would love to hear how it goes ! Keep us updated. Any little tip and trick that works for you could work for others here and I’m sure they would all love your feedback just as much as I would!
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Hi @karen-gibbs-loftin , @carole-ward wanted me to relay this message from her. “Karen was asking about exercise. The best think she can do is get into a Pulmonary Rehab Program. You learn so much about how to do or not do things. And they set up an exercise program just for you. Believe me, it is the best thing you can do for yourself plus you meet other’s with problems….you might help them….they might help you. I think most insurances pay for it and I know Medicare does. I feel like it ha saved my life.”
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