Just because you suffer from asthma doesn’t mean that you don’t have the potential to get seriously fit.
After all, asthma didn’t stop superstar athletes such as David Beckham or Greg Louganis from taking their respective sports by storm, did it?
Although it may represent somewhat of an uphill battle, getting involved with fitness while suffering from asthma is most definitely possible. Much of the success of your fitness journey boils down to how you manage your symptoms and what sort of physical activity you choose to do.
Whether you’re looking to burn fat, build muscle or do both, consider the following tips for asthma-sufferers looking to get fit once and for all.
Get Your Medication Sorted
First and foremost, it’s crucial to figure out what medications you need to manage symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. These symptoms obviously have a direct impact on your level of physical activity.
Beyond having an emergency inhaler on-hand, long-term treatments such as daily allergy medications (think: Claritin and Allegra) as well as preventative inhalers are instrumental in keeping asthma symptoms in check. To help keep the price tag in check as well, make sure to scour the web for deals such as this Qvar coupon to sort out of your preventative medication.
In short, you need to have all of your bases covered to prevent asthma attack: simply having an emergency inhaler isn’t enough.
Know Your Triggers and Limits
Triggers for asthma symptoms vary from person-to-person. Understanding what sets off your symptoms is instrumental in figuring out what sort of physical activity you should involve yourself in.
For example, you might find that you can’t do much outdoors because pollen or cold weather make it difficult to breathe while you’re trying to jog or bike. As such, it may be a good idea to work out indoors rather than have to constantly fight against the elements. While you may be able to burn calories on a stationary bike or complete a brisk 5K run, you may have to pump the brakes on loftier goals such as a two-hour half marathon.
Ease into Cardio
On a similar note, those new to fitness must ease into any cardio-based workouts (think: running, biking, swimming) rather than burn yourself out. If you find that intense cardio just isn’t possible, consider transitioning into weightlifting and bodyweight workouts. Such workouts burn calories and help tone your muscles but allow for longer rest periods where you can catch your breath.
Forget About HIIT
High intensity interval training (or HIIT) is currently all the rage among bodybuilders; however, it’s probably not a valid option for most people suffering from asthma. HIIT workouts involve maximum-effort sprinting and therefore are not ideal for those who have any sort of trouble with your breathing. Again, a slow and steady approach to conditioning will still burn calories just fine.
Never Neglect Your Warm-ups
Whether you’re attempting cardio or resistance training, warm-ups are essential to avoiding injury and triggering shortness of breath. Taking five minutes to briskly walk on the treadmill before any workout is ideal for preparing your body for what’s to come.
Having asthma doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to a life of poor fitness. Simply take it easy and treat your journey toward getting fit as a marathon versus a sprint.