LIFT

Post Treatment and Survivorship

Resistance exercise (LIFT) post treatment is intended to build muscle, regain function, and reduce risk for cancer recurrence.  Let’s get to it!

This is one of 2 pages at this website that describe the exercise program we recommend for you to do as you train during chemotherapy.   This page focuses on RESISTANCE EXERCISE. 

The general LIFT page has information to get you started with resistance exercise.  This page is specific to the program for the period of time post treatment.

Post Treatment, the recommended dose of Resistance Exercise is as follows:

Frequency:  Twice Weekly

Intensity: you should feel that it is difficult to complete the last repetitions and sets in each session.  If it is not difficult, you should increase the resistance. 

Time: the program may take between 20-40 minutes per session

Type:  Resistance exercises

Sets: start with 1 and build to 3 sets of each exercise over the first month

Repetitions:  10

Start with light weights and keep increasing the resistance until you feel that the last few repetitions of the last set are difficult to complete. 

Here is a handout of the exercises we recommend.

Here is a video to teach you to do these exercises.

Here is a video to follow along in doing the exercises.

The general LIFT page also has information about buying weights, finding a trainer, and other useful resources.

This program lasts years.  Please consider finding a trainer to work with to build some fresh ideas and energy into your program.  See here to find a trainer near you:  Exerciseismedicine.org/movingthroughcancer