Exercise and asthma

i used to have asthma really bad too, and i could never do the stepper, aside from everything else..but i learned how to control my breathing during exercising which REALLY HELPS, in thru ur nose out thru ur mouth constantly, dont try to talk or sing..and definately always have ur inhaler on you, but you just have to start out slow and work ur way up to it, i can now run no problem, runnin they say is actually good for ppl with asthma, so just start slow, control ur breathing, AND if u are home or by urself walking, make sure to have a cell phone and id on u god forbid you needed to call for help...good luck!

I have had asthma all my life from allergies and exercise. I take 2 puffs right before I exercise and I then breathe fine during my workout.

I have very mild (primarily exercise induced) asthma. I take two hits from the inhaler before I exercise and don't have any problems exercising.

I'm a long time asthma sufferer. Over the last several months I have been virtually symptom free. I'm not sure if this is the result of getting pretty fit, or just a lucky break, as asthma severity seems to ebb and flow over time, or maybe a combination of both. Anyway here is my advice:

Go see an asthma specialist as soon as possible. Asthma treatment has come a long way in the last 25 years since I've first had symptoms. The key is to get it under control so that it doesn't act up in the first place. There are inhalers like Asmanex which you can take once every night before bed that control the asthma so that you don't have to use your rescue inhaler as much or at all.

When it comes to the rescue inhaler, take it 15-30 minutes before you start exercising. When I still had heavy symptoms, that made a world of difference. If I waited until after I started exercising and already had wheezing it wouldn't really help that much and the rest of the workout was hellish.

I just want you to know that stupid asthma doesn't have to be a barrier between you and exercise. You can get it under control and you can exercise with the best of them!

As far as specific exercises, I found that cardio was always a sure-fire way to get all asthma-y, whereas strength training did not do it as much or at all. That said, I think for best results fitness wise, it's better to incorporate both cardio and strength training into your routine.

My asthma sucks....well it used to suck.. I was using my rescue inhaler CONSTANTLY throughout the day (even though i know better). fact is: I wasn't managing my asthma properly, so i talked to the doc about Singulair which is taken for my allergies, too. holy smokes it made a huge difference. I used to have to use my rescue inhaler at least 2x while on the treadmill for like 30 minutes...now I don't use it at all. Maybe just once every couple days.

As a person who was always afraid to run due to the fact that it would exacerbate my asthma every time, i read up a lot about proper breathing while exercising and that made a difference, too.

Water aerobics are excellent for asthmatics, too. Probably one of the best things to learn how to control your breathing while working out.

I have asthma with many triggers including exercise, (body and hair sprays, perfume, heat, cold, change in temperature, stress plus all the usuals) I take 2 puffs before exercise but can generally only do about 10 minutes before i'm wheezing again...I tried zumba, the videos are 3 minutes long on youtube, its all i can manage and even then its modified! I bought an elliptical and do that for as long as I can, can manage half an hour if im not pushing it but to get burning calories i need to be pushing it so once again about 10 minutes before i'm coughing and wheezing. I have to add I also have emphysema so have limited spare breath before I even start but I need to keep at it to prevent my emphysema worsening.

Do you have a preventer spray? If not request one, its long acting, you take it every day, that could help minimise attacks. (not sure of the US names but serevent, seretide, qvar, clenil are all in the preventer category)

My rescue inhaler is ventolin (salbutamol)

You might also want to ask about further testing if your symptoms have become worse, especially if you have ever smoked or have lived with a smoker...my asthma worsened and it turned out to be early onset emphysema which has another treatment altogether.

Just keep plodding on, you may never run a marathon but if you keep doing bits when you can you will be getting some exercise and any is better than none, if the chlorine doesnt play up your symptoms then give water aerobics etc a go...might be just the ticket

I have the exact same problem as you with your asthma. What I can do is stretching about 30 minutes and about 3-5 sit ups. My asthma is so bad that if i am cooking a full meal for 3 people i have an attack. all i try to do is everything slowly the attacks are coming less frequently when cooking. there is a dvd out there that i am gonna try. a few websites i have found recommended this dvd for people with asthma. Its called "leslie sansone walk away the pounds" sense it is a dvd u can stop when ever u want to its all at home and slower paced walking in place. I haven't tried it yet but I know some people that have and it works well for them. Hope this helps and gives u some ideas. I know how hard it is to have asthma and want to get in shape. Hope this helps



Just as a side note, not everyone's asthma gets better. I was born with asthma I tried doing sports, running, being a child and ended up in the hospital more times then I care to even count. Now that I am older it has gotten worse, I do still keep trying to push myself but my asthma will never get better I've tried everything doctors and the internet has said to try. My best advise is to try everything you can but don't force your body to do something that it wont do . Congratulations to everyone who's asthma has gotten better with exercise!!!

Just as a side note, not everyone's asthma gets better. I was born with asthma I tried doing sports, running, being a child and ended up in the hospital more times then I care to even count. Now that I am older it has gotten worse, I do still keep trying to push myself but my asthma will never get better I've tried everything doctors and the internet has said to try. My best advise is to try everything you can but don't force your body to do something that it wont do . Congratulations to everyone who's asthma has gotten better with exercise!!!

Spot on, I used to run in a team at school, I was very fast but could only do the shortest distance, I was fit, flexible and very lean but my chest still hindered me. My asthma has never been controlled, my pulmonary team keep trying things and they make no difference. On a good day I need my reliever 5 or 6 times...on a bad day, dont ask!

I defiantly feel ya there! I have unlimited refills on my rescue inhaler because I seem to go through it crazy like because I refuse to let this run my life. but in some aspects asthma does run your life All you can do is push but there was a 3 year period where i didnt push at all and now i am fat! Keep pushing or you will end up like me fat and asthma problems which makes it 100xs harder to lose the weight.