Exercise can be tricky when you’re managing symptoms and treatment. Tiredness can be a big factor. Some people find that gentle exercise does help, and others may find it exhausting and hard to know where to start.
What’s been your experience? Have you found anything that helps? We’re all different, but let’s share what’s worked – or maybe what’s not worked – so we can learn from each other.
Before being diagnosed with stage 5 CKD in 2020i played rugby. Since then, I started a touch rugby team for renal patients, their families and NHS staff. I found the mental side of things was my hardest hurdle but having the our touch rugby team with people in similar positions and experiences has made a huge difference. I look forward to our Tuesday training session, as do the other players, to bring a boost for physical and mental health.
Other than walking my dog, swimming is my go-to exercise. I sometimes use 2kg hand dumbbells to exercise my upper body, but can’t say that’s a regular activity. I was a gym member, but it doesn’t work for me anymore. The other thing I do, although not what you’d call exercise, is Transcendental Meditation, which has many benefits to health.
Hi. My eGFR is around 20. I regularly attend Silver Swans ballet (aimed at older peoples, no experience necessary) and tai chi. I also try and do some of the Kidney Beam video exercises https://www.kidneybeam.com, but I am not very good at consistently doing them. If you don’t know it, it is worth having a look. They tell you how to adapt exercises to take account of fistulas and catheters. There are also specific programmes, for example, post transplant.
Hi, (if admin need to move this elsewhere) but does anyone have any advice on exercises, being careful etc after having an lower arm fistula for dialysis as my procedure is now booked for next month
All a bit real now after having a falling egfr from mid high 20’s, 5 years ago, which was dropping like a stone, then stabilised for 2 years to drop again, it’s now getting to that time.
Thanks
Hi @Chalky13! I’ve moved your post over here 
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Hopefully the above comments may help and those also seeking exercise advice can find your comment here 
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Brogan
Hi
The team that have produced the Kidney Beam video exercises https://www.kidneybeam.com are all physios with specialist kidney experience and they tell you in the videos how to manage if you have a fistula or a peritoneal dialysis catheter.
Hi, seems I don’t qualify in the area for kidney beam so can’t access it
I can only give advise from being on dialysis with no prior stages met. Healthy and fit one day to stage 5 straight to dialysis. While on dialysis I did find walking the best form of exercise, just to enjoy the air, clear your mind and listen to your body if it’s too tired. It also helped those that cared and were worried to take the walk with me, to look at ducks, listen to birds and sit on benches. Be kind to yourself and keep things moving so you don’t give up. Walking helped my mental and physical need at the time to feel well. Hope this helps someone.
I cannot support that high enough, I walk pretty much daily, and am stage 5 also.
I’ve also started doing a mini video chat for myself (I don’t use any social media) to have a few thoughts every now again
I found my mental wellbeing was so important, to stay resilient and kept me going when things got bad. You have to stay positive no matter what. Your video talk for yourself sounds like an important part of that. Such a great idea.
I’m on HD and got an e-bike last year, which is amazing as it’s given me the confidence to get some exercise along side fatigue. I do take off the function during my rides, so I push my body to get sone cardio in. Because energy fluctuates with stage 5, having the e function really helps to motivate me to get out and enjoy the lovely countryside I live in, which is fabulous for my well-being and also means I can keep up with my partner!! 
I used to love cycling and have toyed with this as an idea too, but am ok with lots of walking at the moment
I think an e-bike is a plan once dialysis starts 