Exercise and cancer

Having cancer is likely to affect your fitness, mood and energy levels but exercise can really help before, during and after treatment.

This page will help you to learn about the benefits of exercise, how to make it part of your day and how Maggie's can help.

The benefits of exercise when you have cancer

Exercise has many benefits before, during and after cancer treatment. It can help with:

• energy levels
• mood
• treatment-related side effects
• sleep
• mental health
• self-image and confidence
• general health.

Finding the right exercise for you

The right exercise when you have cancer will vary depending on your situation.

Whatever your current level of fitness and ability to exercise, there are activities that will be right for you. 

When you're choosing how to exercise, it's helpful to think about:

• What you can manage – it could be as something as energetic as doing sports or working out or something as gentle as walking to the local shop or stretching in your chair
• If you enjoy it – you're more likely to stick to an exercise if it's something you like doing and that you can make part of your routine
• Making changes gradually – building up to what's manageable for you
• What's available locally – at your nearest Maggie's or your local gym may also offer specific exercise classes for people who have been unwell

If you're attending a group or class, it's important to make sure the instructor is suitably qualified and is aware that you are being, or have recently been, treated for cancer.

Exercise at Maggie's

All our centres offer a range physical exercise classes, including:

• Nordic walking
• gym sessions
• yoga
• tai-chi
• armchair exercise
• gardening
• walking.

Our classes are a great opportunity to meet others in similar situations and we can help you to work out which is the right activity for you. 

Classes are free and run by qualified instructors.

Don't overdo it

Exercise shouldn’t hurt or leave you breathless when you stop.

If you're unsure, speak to your doctor or specialist nurse about any exercise you could benefit from or should perhaps avoid.

We're here with you

We run lots of different exercise classes to help before, during and after cancer treatment.

Come and talk to us and we can help find the right activity for you.

Find your nearest Maggie's for details on how to get in touch.

Last review: Dec 2021 | Next review: Dec 2022