If you have a lung condition, being active can help to improve your quality of life and help you manage your condition. You may be concerned that being more active and exerting yourself will make you short of breath and very uncomfortable. However, it is not harmful for you to get out of breath during physical activity, it is actually good for you.
This webpage contains information on: Specialist exercise classes, other community exercise sessions, exercising at home and advice/support.
Regular activity and exercise will:
- Help you manage breathlessness
- Strengthen the muscles that help you breathe
- Help prevent infections
- Increase your mobility
- Strengthen bones and muscles
- Increase your confidence
- Make daily activities feel easier
- Reduce feelings of anxiety/low mood
Specialist group exercise – Better Breathers Classes
The local Better Breathers exercise classes can help you to manage your breathing condition. Exercise together with other people who also have a respiratory condition, with the support of a specialist exercise instructor. Join one of our groups for a fun, gentle exercise circuit. If you have a lung condition such as COPD, lung disease or severe asthma then these are the classes for you.
How to join:
If you have breathing problems and would like to attend these classes, please contact the community respiratory team on 0121 424 4766. A member of this team will be able to refer you to the Better Breathers classes.
Local Venues:
- North Solihull Sports Centre, Conway Road, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5LA.
- Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, Blossomfield Road, Solihull, B91 1NB.
Community exercise sessions
There is a varied programme of local community physical activity sessions in Solihull, including:
- The Step into Solihull programme – Various types of gentle group exercise sessions (e.g. Tai Chi, dance, yoga, walking sports, seated exercise and much more).
- Get moving with free activities, such as local walking groups, cycling activities, table tennis and more.
- My Solihull Map – Find other community activities, groups and organisations near you.
Exercising at home
If you are looking to supplement your class activities or would like an alternative then try these opportunities from Asthma & Lung UK (formerly British Lung Foundation).
Keep Active Programme
The Keep Active programme is designed for anyone living with a lung condition, including asthma, COPD and long COVID. It provides a gentle warm up and cool down, and step-by-step tailored exercises to help you feel stronger and more energetic. It also gives advice to help you move safely with your lung condition, breathing techniques to help when you’re active, and allows you to set goals and track your activity over time.
Whether you’re new to exercise, progressing in your activity journey, or you’re more confident in keeping active this programme can help. There is a Keep Active handbook and online videos, with 3 difficulty levels to choose from.
Feel Good Fridays
Feel Good Fridays are chair based Zumba sessions with Anne Little designed to be fun, improve breathlessness, and increase mobility. The sessions take place on Zoom every Friday from 10.30am to 11.15am.
A wider list of home exercise options is available on the Move More at Home webpage.
Advice and Support
You can also find other advice and support from the following organisations:
- Asthma & Lung UK (formerly British Lung Foundation) – The UK’s lung health charity. Their support includes a helpline 0300 222 5800 or [email protected]
- Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust – Providing personal support to people affected by Pulmonary Fibrosis, 01543 442191 or [email protected]
- NHS – If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this webpage explains your options and where you can get support.
