Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Support Group

do it right and it makes it better most of the time.

Before joining a gym, you may want to evaluate what resources it provides and if there is enough variety so you can vary your exercise options to accomodate those days when you want something slow and gentle (e.g. yoga or stretching classes) as well as when you want something heart pumping and muscle building (elliptical machines and weights).

You may want to avoid exercises such as leg presses which require you to press your back against a flat surface and put extra stress on the kidney area. It's well worth the expense of working with a certifed personal trainer for a couple of sessions to develop a good sound routine and learn appropriate technique for use of the equipement as well as breathing (e.g. exhale upon exertion to keep your blood pressure steady; if you hold your breath you will dramatically increase your blood pressure).

Stick with the lower impact exercises: stair climbers, ellipticals, bicycles, yoga (work with the instructor on poses that are comfortable; all poses can be altered to meet your personal requirements), and swimming instead of the high impact aerobics classes, step classes or running on the treadmill. In all cases, use common sense. If you start to feel pain in your kidneys, STOP! Do not cause harm in the attempt to get in shape. It's one thing to be sore when you're starting to use muscles that have been dormant for years; that's to be expected. But your internal organs shouldn't hurt!

Also be sure to keep up with your fluid intake. As the post on running emphasized, fluids are not only what you pee out, but also what you sweat out. If you chose to swim, you aren't aware of how much you're actually sweating under water, so be sure to increase your fluid intake while swimming; it's very easy to get dehydrated and not know it because you're surrounded by water.

Avoid the sauna, steamroom and jacuzzi/hot tubs; these will only serve to increase your blood pressure and increase the strain on your kidneys, something you don't need.

If and when you hurt, take it easy. "All things in moderation" is a great motto for exercise as well as food.

Enjoy and use common sense!

Thank you for all your advice, I start tomorrow so I will take in mind what you have all mentioned: