Getting a cancer diagnosis changes everything. It changes a person’s schedule, their energy, their confidence and how they feel from day to day. Whether they are newly diagnosed, currently in treatment or recovering after treatment, exercise can be a powerful tool. Intense, standing-based workouts aren’t required; chair exercises are a great option for cancer patients to support safe and effective movement! Chair workouts are helpful for patients facing fatigue, weakness, balance issues, neuropathy, and limited mobility.
Why Exercise Matters During and After Recovery
Research has consistently shown that exercise can improve both the quality of life and long-term outcomes for cancer survivors. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, exercise for cancer survivors can improve:
- Physical functioning
- Muscle strength
- Cardiovascular fitness
- Fatigue
- Anxiety and depression
- Quality of life
This means that exercise is not just about getting in shape; it is about feeling like you again.
Some Powerful Research You Need To Know About
Exercise Can Improve Survival Outcomes – A recent study, The 2025 International Trial of Colon Cancer Survivors, showed that a structured exercise program reduced the risk of death by 37% compared with health education alone. There was 90.3% overall survival rate compared to 83.2% in the control group.
Exercise Helps Reduce Cancer-Related Fatigue – Fatigue is a side effect of treatment. Multiple studies show that exercise can help significantly reduce cancer and treatment related fatigue. Exercise can also help boost energy and mood.
Many Cancer Survivors Still Need Help – CDC-supported research found that only 58% of cancer survivors meet physical activity guidelines in the first year following treatment, with about 8% reporting being completely inactive. This shows how many people still need access to safe exercise options, such as chair workouts.
Chair Workouts Are a Great Option for Cancer Survivors
Chair exercise is a great way for cancer patients to remove obstacles to movement and exercise and can be ideal for cancer patients who may be:
- Dealing with low energy
- Having balance issues
- Experiencing joint pain
- Going through neuropathy
- Recovering from surgery
- Going through deconditioning due to treatment
- Worried about doing too much too soon
With chair exercises, you can improve circulation, mobility, coordination, posture, strength and confidence safely and effectively.
Benefits of Chair Exercise After Cancer
Boost Your Energy – You may have heard that if you feel tired, it is better for you to rest; but movement can actually help with fighting fatigue.
Rebuild Strength Safely – Many cancer patients experience muscle weakness during treatment. Doing seated cardio exercises and utilizing chair bodyweight exercises can help you rebuild your strength.
Improve Your Mental Health – Exercise has also been linked to reduced anxiety, better mood and improved mental wellness during cancer recovery and survivorship.
Help You Get Your Independence Back – Having more mobility and strength will help you get back daily activity independence including walking, getting dressed, reaching for and lifting things and even just standing.
How Can You Start?
Please remember to always consult with your doctor or oncology team before starting exercise, especially if you have had surgery, are on chemotherapy or radiation therapy, have lymphedema risk factors or are at a bone strength risk level. Then start with:
- 5-10 minutes of movement consisting of:
- Gentle stretching
- Light, seated cardio and breath exercises
- Upper body mobility
- Seated leg strengthening
- Gentle stretching as a cool-down
Consistency is more important than intensity, and slow progress over time is still progress!
A Final Word Of Encouragement
Healing and recovery don’t have to look a certain way. It can start with one seated march, one arm raise, one breath, one class, one choice to begin again. That IS power, and you have access to that power.
Chair One Fitness Can Help You Move!
At Chair One Fitness, we make movement possible for everyone! Our functional seated workouts allow people to move safely, confidently and joyfully, regardless of their life stage or current wellness journey. If you are rebuilding your strength, dealing with a side effect or just want to get back to moving, Chair One Fitness workouts provide a great option for getting there.
Check out our online workouts on our On Demand Platform (7-day, all access free trial).
For more information on Chair One Fitness visit our website or email Admin@ChairOneFitness.com.
Interested in becoming a Chair One Fitness Instructor? Register for a training today!