What is the Best Exercise for Cancer Survivors?

The best exercise is the one you will do! The Cancer Exercise app is designed to help cancer survivors find enjoyable and effective ways to stay active during and after treatment.

While the cancer survivor exercise guidelines recommend a mix of aerobic and resistance training, such as walking, cycling, jogging, or weightlifting, we know that many people prefer alternative activities. The key is to find any sustained movement that increases your heart rate and breathing. This could include yoga, ballroom dancing, swimming, paddling sports, hiking, or even triathlon training. The most important thing is to get your body moving in a way that feels good to you.

Resistance exercises include lifting weights, using bands or your body weight. Muscle strength is lost very quickly when we are inactive. Therefore, resistance exercise is particularly important to do as it keeps you strong enough to do the activities you enjoy. So, if you must make a choice between aerobic and resistance exercise, lift the weights and keep your muscle strength and function.

“Resistance exercise is particularly important to do as it keeps you strong enough to do the activities you enjoy.”

One tip for resistance training is to make it a continuous session without much rest in between exercises. For example, do squats immediately followed by an arm exercise. This approach can turn resistance training into a cardiovascular workout, as your heart rate will increase, and you'll be breathing harder. It's an efficient way to get both strength and aerobic benefits in one session.

The Cancer Exercise app is designed to support all types of physical activity for cancer survivors, from traditional exercises to alternative movement. Whether you prefer walking, cycling, swimming, lifting weights, yoga, or something else entirely - just move your body in a way that feels good! Staying active can have tremendous benefits for your physical and mental health during and after cancer treatment. Remember, the best exercise is the one that helps you feel better, stronger, and more able to enjoy life. So, get out there and move in ways that make you happy!