Before starting a home-based exercise program

Before starting a home-based exercise program, you should:

  • Talk to your doctor or relevant health care professional (e.g. Physiotherapist or Accredited Exercise Physiologist). They will help you set a plan to meet your current health concerns.
  • Always choose activities you enjoy and vary them to help you stay motivated.
  • Start slowly and build up gradually.
  • Set goals to keep you on track and use strategies like an exercise diary to monitor your progress and symptoms.
  • Have a safety plan in place: If living alone advise friends and family members of the times you would generally be exercising and ensure you have a working personal alarm system and in reach whilst exercising.
  • Know the danger signs; become familiar with signs and symptoms which indicate you should not be exercising. This may include: nausea, chest pain, dizziness, feeling faint, extreme shortness of breath, excessive wheezing or coughing up blood.