It depends. If you use oxygen in your day-to-day life, then yes, you should also wear it to exercise. If you don’t, then you don’t need it when you exercise.

Some people with COPD use oxygen throughout the day. That includes when you’re moving and exercising.

Most people who don’t use oxygen throughout the day don’t need oxygen when they exercise. For some people, it may be helpful. But using oxygen can have some downsides. Oxygen equipment can be uncomfortable, hard to carry around, and make it harder to move freely. Some people might feel like it’s worth it to have the oxygen and it helps them exercise more. Other people might decide it’s not worth it. It depends on your individual needs and experience.

Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of using oxygen when you exercise. Together, you can decide what’s best for you.

There are also some types of oxygen equipment that can be easier to exercise with than others. If you decide to use oxygen while you exercise, talk to your doctor about what equipment can make it easiest for you to exercise.

Some people don’t need oxygen, others do – do whatever works best for you!

 

Image belongs to the American Thoracic Society, from “Home Oxygen Therapy for Adults with Chronic Lung Disease. An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline” – illustration by Patricia Ferrer Beals