Exercise

LUPUS EUROPE • EXERCISE PROGRAM for LUPUS PATIENTS

In collaboration with trained physical therapists Lupus Europe has developed an exercise program in five levels which has been endorsed by leading European Lupologists.

INTRODUCTION

Studies show, that the only thing, that is clinically proven to help lupus fatigue is “moderate” exercise. We as lupus patients ourselves do however realise, how difficult it can be to start exercising, when you feel fatigue! This is why we developed this program from our own experiences.

Exercise doesn´t necessarily mean, that you have to run a marathon or go to the gym. With this program we want to show, that you can do it no matter where you are and how you are feeling. You should be able to find a level that suits you each day.

The goal is of course to increase in level whenever you can, but you will probably experience, that you have to go down a level at some point. Don´t despair, this is quite normal, and the most important thing is, that you do one exercise a day – not which level it is.

Who knows – you might even feel so energized by doing one program, that you can take on the next level straight away…?

All exercises can be done without training tools and in the individual videos we will guide you through the various options for increased or reduced difficulties. Each program can be done in 15-20 minutes, if you do two or three rounds.

LEVEL 1

• LYING DOWN

• 6 Exercises
• 10-15 Minutes

This level is for when you feel unable to get out of bed for one reason or another or feel more comfortable lying down.

This should be your starting point, if you are not used to exercising.

The exercises can be done while lying in bed or on a mat on the floor.

You can increase the difficulty of some of the exercises by using waterbottles or dumbbells.

Download Exercise PDF

Download

LEVEL 2

• SEATED

• 6 Exercises
• 10-15 Minutes

This level is for when you are able to sit on a chair or are in a wheel chair but cannot stand up for longer periods of time.

For this program you will need a kitchen chair or similar.

You can increase the difficulty of some of the exercises by using an elastic band, water bottles or dumbbells.

Download Exercise PDF

Download

LEVEL 3

• STANDING

7 Exercises
• 10-15 Minutes

This level is for when you are able to stand up, but not walk for longer periods of time.

For this program you will need a kitchen chair or similar, a floor mat and a wall to lean against.

Download Exercise PDF

Download

LEVEL 4

• STANDING
• WALKING


• 7 Exercises
• 10-15 Minutes

This level is for when you are able to walk for longer periods of time, but not run or do high impact exercise.

For this program you will need a floor mat and a wall to lean against.

You can increase the difficulty of some of the exercises by using an elastic band, water bottles or dumbbells.

Download Exercise PDF

Download

LEVEL 5

• STANDING
• WALKING
• JUMPING

• 7 Exercises 
• 10-15 Minutes

This level is for when you are able to run a bit,
jump and do high impact exercise.

For this program you will need a floor mat.

You can increase the difficulty of some of the exercises
by using a kettle bell, water bottles or dumbbells.

Download Exercise PDF

Download

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📣 Upcoming ERN RECONNET Webinar on Lupus Nephritis!

➡️ “What is the added value of triple therapy in lupus nephritis” ⬅️

🗓 11 March 2026
⏰ 4:00 p.m. CET (i.e., Paris time).

🎙 Speaker: Dr Antonis Fanouriakis
🎙 Moderators: Prof. Dr Matthias Schneider & Zoe Karakikla-Mitsakou, General Secretary of Lupus Europe.

Lupus nephritis remains one of the most serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus, and treatment strategies continue to evolve as new evidence emerges.

🔎 This webinar will explore:
•⁠ ⁠The scientific rationale for triple therapy.
•⁠ ⁠Current clinical evidence.
•⁠ ⁠What this may mean for outcomes in lupus nephritis.

Whether you are a healthcare professional, researcher, or patient, this session is not to be missed!

Register now! us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_41Lc9osLQ6m7nOuJGGWnHw#/registration
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📣 Upcoming ERN RE

🚨 New publication alert: EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus with kidney involvement- 2025 update.

‼️ According to Lupus Europe's 2024 Swiss knife survey:

1️⃣ Kidney involvement remains one of the most worrying and impactful lupus manifestations for many people in Europe.
2️⃣ Kidney problems are among the manifestations causing the greatest long-term concern.
3️⃣ Only a small minority of patients report long-term stability without flares.
4️⃣ Patients want clearer goals, better communication, and care that looks beyond lab values alone.

That is why the 2025 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus with kidney involvement is such an important step forward.

✅ These updated recommendations reinforce several key messages that matter to patients:
- Early and regular monitoring of kidney involvement.
- Timely kidney biopsy when needed.
- Clear treatment targets to preserve kidney function.
- A strong focus on combination therapies when appropriate.
- Long-term kidney protection, not only short-term control.

🌟 We are especially proud that our Chair, Jeanette Andersen, was part of the international task force that developed these recommendations, ensuring that the patient perspective was present at the table.

You can read the EULAR Recommendations here: ard.eular.org/article/S0003-4967(25)04412-7/fulltext

And the Swiss Knife Survey here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568997225000989
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🚨 New publication

😃 Thank you to all who attended our latest Youth Group webinar!

🌟 So many interesting questions were asked and addressed! Showing how important safe spaces arefor talking openly about lupus without judgment.

Did you miss it? Watch it here! 👇

Alcohol & Drugs - Lupus
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😃 Thank you to al