Regular exercise can improve your health and well-being, especially when you have COPD.
Exercise can help you:
- keep a healthy weight
- build and maintain muscle strength
- manage stress and anxiety
- feel more energized
- improve balance
- and more.
Research also shows that exercise can help you manage your COPD. It may reduce flare-ups, lower the risk of hospitalization, and help your lungs work better.1
Before starting any new exercise routine, check with your doctor. They can help you decide what level of activity is best for you.
Also, consider pulmonary rehabilitation if you have not already. This is a program that includes education and exercise sessions with experts who can help you learn the best exercises to support your lung health.
What types of exercise are best when I have COPD?
Ultimately, the best exercise is the exercise you can do safely, often, and with some enjoyment. Choosing the best exercise for you depends on your personal preference and your health. For many people with COPD, good options include:
- Walking
- Biking
- Dancing
- Strength training/lifting weights
- Yoga
- Tai chi2
How can I deal with breathlessness during physical activity?
Over time, exercise can actually help you feel less breathless.1 When you exercise, you strengthen many of the muscles that support your lungs as you breathe.
At first, make sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard. Some breathlessness can be normal, but you also don’t want to overdo it. Talk with your doctor to decide what level of activity is right for you.
You can also use breathing exercises to support your lungs. When you feel breathless, try pursed lip breathing. This simple breathing exercise helps you get the air you need without making your lungs work as hard. You can use pursed lip breathing during and after exercise.
How do I exercise when I feel fatigued all the time?
Fatigue is a common COPD symptom, and it can make it feel even harder to stay active. However, gentle exercise is actually one of the best things you can do when you’re tired because of your COPD.3 Eat healthy foods, drink enough water, and do your best to stay active. Start small—even five or 10 minutes of gentle activity is better than not moving at all. You can increase your exercise over time. You may find you have more energy as you become more active.
Should I avoid exercising outside or at the gym because I have COPD?
If the weather is very hot, cold, or damp, or if the air quality is bad, exercising outdoors could be harder on your lungs. These weather extremes can make breathing more difficult and can even trigger a flare-up.4 Keep an eye on the weather and check your local air quality before spending too much time outside.
Exercising at your local gym is one way to stay active indoors. Gyms offer different types of exercise equipment, as well as classes to help you get active and connect with your community. One study found that adults with COPD who exercised in a community gym were highly satisfied. Exercising in a gym helped them feel more normal and more confident.5
That being said, gyms are public spaces where lots of people gather. Gyms can be home to many viruses and bacteria.6 If you are especially at risk of infection, discuss the risks with your doctor and decide if exercising in a gym is right for you. If you do go to the gym, consider going during less crowded times and sanitizing shared equipment before you use it.
There are also many great exercises you can do from the comfort of your own home. If funds and space allow, consider getting a treadmill, stationary bike, and/or a set of dumbbells. YouTube is also a helpful resource. You can find many free exercise programs that don’t require any equipment. These videos allow you to follow along with a workout such as yoga, aerobics, tai chi, walking in place, and more.
Share your experiences with exercise in the comments. What exercises work best for you? Feel free to provide tips on staying active while protecting your lungs and supporting your overall well-being.
Resources:
- Wang L, Wu X. Clinical effects of exercise combined with respiratory training in rehabilitation treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Altern Ther Health Med. 2024;30(8):188-194.
- Liu S, Yang A, Yu Y, Xu B, Yu G, Wang H. Exercise prescription training in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: benefits and mechanisms. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2025;20:1071-1082. Published 2025 Apr 15. doi:10.2147/COPD.S512275
- Pancera S, Buraschi R, Lazzarini SG, et al. Effects of exercise on muscle fatigability in COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Respir Rev. 2025;34(178):250008. Published 2025 Oct 22. doi:10.1183/16000617.0008-2025
- Xu J, Xu G, Liu Z, Hou R, Ji JS, Huang C. COPD risk due to extreme temperature exposure: combining epidemiological evidence with pathophsyological mechanisms. eBioMedicine. 2025;116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105731
- McNamara RJ, McKeough ZJ, Mo LR, Dallimore JT, Dennis SM. Community-based exercise training for people with chronic respiratory and chronic cardiac disease: a mixed-methods evaluation. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2016;11:2839-2850. Published 2016 Nov 16. doi:10.2147/COPD.S118724
- Zhang M, Ma Y, Xu H, Wang M, Li L. Surfaces of gymnastic equipment as reservoirs of microbial pathogens with potential for transmission of bacterial infection and antimicrobial resistance. Front Microbiol. 2023;14:1182594. Published 2023 Apr 20. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1182594