April 2025
If you have asthma, you may be reluctant to work out because exercise can trigger an asthma attack. But regular exercise isn’t just good for heart health, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy weight. It’s also good for your lungs.
Regular exercise can help improve your lung capacity (the amount of air your lungs can hold) and increase your body’s ability to move oxygen from the lungs into your blood.
Follow these three tips for exercising successfully with asthma.
Check the temperature.
If the cold or heat triggers your asthma, consider moving your outdoor exercise to a time of day when the weather is more moderate, or opt to exercise indoors. If you really want to engage in physical activity outside when it’s too cold, cover your nose and mouth with a scarf, neck gator, or mask.
Check local pollen levels.
For those with allergic asthma, check local pollen levels by entering your ZIP code at pollen.com before heading outside. If pollen counts are high, opt for indoor exercise, or aim to work out earlier in the day. Researchers have found that pollen tends to be lowest between 4 a.m. and noon and higher later in the day.
Follow your asthma action plan.
For many, this means using a rescue inhaler 10 to 20 minutes before exercising. Your doctor may include additional advice in your asthma action plan. As always, carry your rescue inhaler with you.
