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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🇸🇪 Spotlight on Lupus Sweden!

💜 At our #LupusConvention, Riksföreningen för SLE (Lupus Sweden) shared their inspiring work to raise awareness, spread knowledge and build connections across the lupus community in Sweden.

💬 Formed in 2017 as part of the Swedish Rheumatism Organisation, they now count almost 160 members. Their mission: to spread knowledge about lupus and counteract loneliness.

📘 One of their most beautiful achievements in 2024 has been the release of a children’s book, “My mother can have a butterfly on the nose”, written to help younger children understand what it’s like to live with a parent who has lupus.

🌸 Every May, they celebrate World Lupus Day with a national theme day, a tradition started in 2013! Each year, the event takes place in a different city so that all members across Sweden can feel included and represented.

🦋 Recently, they also launched a new lupus/SLE awareness pin, raising funds for lupus research and making lupus more visible to the public.

👏 Thank you, Lupus Sweden, for your dedication, creativity and compassion. A great example of how patient organisations bring people together and make lupus visible!
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📢 Calling all #lupus patients!

🦋 Lupus is a rare autoimmune disease that can potentially impact every aspect of life. From daily activities and social interactions to work and access to support, living with #SLE presents unique challenges that need to be addressed.

✍️ That is why we invite you to participate in the #RareBarometer survey by EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe.

Your insights can make a difference and help shape future policies that support people living with this condition.

🙏 Thanks for sharing your experience!

www.sphinxonline.com/surveyserver/s/EURORDIS75/MH_interface/questionnaire.htm
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📢 Calling all #lu

📣 LupusGPT was featured at the European Patients’ Forum (EPF) Congress in Brussels!

The EPF Congress is the largest European event dedicated to strengthening patient involvement in healthcare systems, policy and research. It brings together leading voices from the European patient community and cross-sector experts to build more resilient, inclusive and patient-centric healthcare across Europe.

💜 This year, our #LupusGPT poster was present thanks to the work of our Chair, Jeanette Andersen, and the support of Cathrine Hjelmeset from Lupus Norway and the Lupus Europe PAN, who represented us in Brussels. We are deeply grateful for their commitment.

🙏 We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the EPF team for their remarkable support throughout the process. Their dedication ensured that LupusGPT was fully represented at the Congress, and we truly appreciate their efforts.

🧡 LupusGPT is built by patients to provide clear, accessible and reliable information, collaboratively validated by doctors and patients, about lupus in almost any language.

Try it now: lupusgpt.org/
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🟣 Living with systemic #lupus erythematosus can be a daily challenge for over 200,000 people across Europe, many of whom live with physical disabilities.

In fact, our Living With Lupus 2020 survey reveals the profound impact #SLE can have:

🔹 57.9% of respondents said SLE negatively affected their careers.
🔹 Nearly 50% faced challenges in daily activities, from studying to family life.
🔹 Fatigue remains the most reported symptom, affecting 85.3% of patients.

🦋 These figures highlight the need for greater awareness, inclusivity, and tailored support for those living with disabilities or chronic conditions like lupus.

🔊 On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let’s raise awareness to build a society where barriers are reduced and opportunities are accessible for all.

#WorldDisabilityDay
#IDPWD
#InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities
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