Can I exercise while on prednisone?

Many people taking prednisone are prescribed this steroid medication to treat a chronic disease—often one that affects the lungs or the joints. Meaning, you may not feel like working out. But steroids are supposed to improve performance at the gym, right? Not so fast. Prednisone is a corticosteroid used to suppress immune response and decrease swelling—ot an anabolic steroid that mimics testosterone’s effects. However, once you start taking this Rx, you might feel a little better, and want to get back to your normal routine. Do prednisone and exercise go together?

What is prednisone?

Prednisone is a steroid medication used to reduce inflammation in the body or to suppress the immune system. Often it is prescribed to treat asthma symptoms or an allergic reaction, such as poison ivy. It can also be used to treat autoimmune disorders like lupus, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. It can be taken in several different ways—liquid or pill form. The medication is very effective, but can have these common side effects:

• Fluid retention
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• Mood changes
• Upset stomach

Long-term use of prednisone can strip calcium from your bones, which can lead to osteoporosis. It can also increase your susceptibility to infections and raise blood sugar. Hitting the gym might feel like a natural solution to some of these adverse effects. Here’s what you need to know about prednisone and working out.

Can I exercise while on prednisone?

Not only is it safe to exercise while taking prednisone, but working out on prednisone can be beneficial. Even a moderate amount of exercise can prevent the protein loss that can sometimes occur when taking prednisone. 

“Prednisone can reduce muscle and tissue inflammation, which is why people might feel good on prednisone while exercising,” says Banita Sehgal, MD, a physician at LifeMD in California. In other words, when your symptoms improve, you might feel more up to working up a sweat. On top of that, exercise has many beneficial effects for your body that can help reduce the impact of the condition you’re treating—or the medication’s side effects.

“Taking prednisone lowers inflammation and can improve exercise performance,” says William Li, MD, physician, scientist, and author of Eat To Beat Disease. “This can help strengthen muscles, making it subsequently easier to exercise.” That’s especially true for people taking prednisone for health conditions like arthritis. Exercise can improve joint mobility and ease pain or stiffness. It can also help  regulate blood sugar, build bone mass, decrease blood pressure, and manage weight, which are several of the most frustrating side effects of this medication.

RELATED: What’s the best exercise for arthritis? 

What’s the best exercise while taking prednisone?

“It is safe to exercise while taking prednisone, but it is recommended that you start with easier exercises,” says Bradley J. Katz, MD, Ph.D., professor and physician at the University of Utah Medical Center. That way you can see how your body responds to activity and adjust as needed. 

Before you begin any new exercise routine, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider to make sure that it is safe—especially if you are taking prednisone. Some of the less common potential side effects of prednisone can make exercise more challenging—or even dangerous—such as irregular heartbeat, dizziness, sweating, or blurred vision. If you have difficulty exercising or experience worsening side effects, reduce the intensity and duration of the exercise and work your way up.

In general, there are no specific exercises that are safer than others while taking prednisone. However, weight-bearing exercises can help prevent osteoporosis—a possible side effect of long-term prednisone use, such as:

• Walking
• Running
• Strength training

“The exercise level you are used to, is the level you should continue doing,” Dr. Sehgal says. “If you start to have any symptoms of lightheadedness or increased fatigue, then you should stop exercising and make sure you contact your doctor for full recommendations.”

Prednisone and pre-workout supplements

When your healthcare provider prescribes prednisone, make sure to disclose all medications (prescription and OTC), vitamins, and supplements you currently are taking—including anything you use to improve workout performance. Then, your provider can discuss the possible interactions with you. 

“Pre-workout supplements are not studied by the FDA and can sometimes cause kidney problems,” Dr. Sehgal says. “Your doctor should review the supplements before you take any pre-workout supplements.”

The benefits of exercise when taking prednisone

If your healthcare provider has given you the go-ahead, finding a way to exercise while taking prednisone can have several benefits for your health.

1. Decreased inflammation

One reason healthcare providers prescribe prednisone is to reduce inflammation. Exercise can also help minimize inflammation. “Exercise can strengthen the immune system and reduce markers of chronic or systemic inflammation,” Dr. Katz says. “Low-impact exercises such as walking can also reduce the inflammatory response.”

2. Increased circulation

“Exercise helps move muscles and tissues and keeps blood circulating efficiently to muscles and tissues, which in turn can help reduce stiffening of joints, which leads to less inflammation,” Dr. Sehgal explains. Improved circulation further decreases inflammation, a main goal of taking prednisone in the first place.

3. Better breathing

Often prednisone is prescribed to help relieve symptoms related to asthma. Exercise can also be beneficial for those who have asthma. “Exercise can reduce inflammation and increase your lung capacity,” Dr. Katz says. “It also increases blood flow to your lungs and boosts the immune system. All of these can reduce the time it takes for someone with asthma to feel out of breath and may reduce symptoms.”

Exercise can also improve asthma symptoms because it increases the amount of oxygen you receive. “Exercise improves blood flow to your heart, which pumps the blood to your lungs, so overall your body is better oxygenated,” Dr. Li says.

4. Weight control

And as most people know, getting your heart rate up can help you drop pounds—and inflammation. “Exercise stimulates adrenaline, which triggers the burning of body fat,” Dr. Li says. “Because excess body fat is often a source of inflammation, physical activity reduces fat and inflammation…Even 20 minutes of exercise is enough to produce these anti-inflammatory benefits.”

The bottom line? If you feel up to it, and your provider clears you for activity, exercise can aid in your recovery while taking prednisone. Just start slow and watch out for worsening side effects. Then, when your course of medication finishes, you’ll be able to get back to your workout routine, sooner.