Can You Exercise When You Have a Catheter?

It’s no secret that exercising is an important part of life. However, there are some things to keep in mind when exercising with a catheter.

Many people aren’t sure if you can exercise while using a catheter. While the answer to that is a bit more complicated than a simple “yes” or “no,” we can assure you it’s possible, and we’re going to take the time to go over what you should do when using one.

Best Type of Catheter To Use

When it comes to exercising, you can technically use whichever type of catheter you choose, but intermittent ones are usually the better choice. They are more suited for those who live an active lifestyle. However, if you need to use either an indwelling or external catheter, you can still exercise. You just might have to be careful which activities you do.

Exercises You Should and Shouldn’t Do

When using a catheter, some exercises will be more fitted to your situation than others. Activities like walking, rowing, and yoga are perfect for all catheter users. If you don’t use an intermittent catheter, running, cycling, and swimming might put some unnecessary strain on you. That doesn’t mean these activities aren’t possible. You just need to take extra care when performing them.

Regardless of the catheter you use, strength training should never be an issue. Most workout routines involve very little in terms of quick movements. Certain abs exercises might strain your urinary tract, but as long as you’re cautious while doing them, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Continue With Proper Exercise Requirements

Some people with incontinence think they should limit or completely cut off water intake before going out. This is not a good idea if you plan on working out. Staying hydrated is crucial to not injuring yourself during a workout session. Your body will lose a lot of water through sweating, and if you don’t hydrate, you could end up causing your muscles to cramp or give out on you.

On top of that, not having enough water in your body could cause blockages or infections in your urinary tract. These problems aren’t worth the trade-off of not having to use your catheter while you’re out.

Pack for Trips to the Gym

Even though you can exercise while using a catheter, that doesn’t mean you should show up to the gym empty-handed. You need to pack your gym bag with any urology products you might need while there. Make sure they’re ready to go when you need them. As long as you do this, you should never run into any trouble while exercising with your catheter.