Cardiac Rehabilitation: Weight and Resistance Training

Overview

Resistance training may be done with many things, including weights, elastic bands, machines, or your own body weight. Resistance training can help you get the most benefit from your cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) program.

Do not start a strength-training program without discussing it with your doctor.

Your doctor can help make sure your training program is as safe as possible for you. Everyone is different. So you, your doctor, and your cardiac rehab team will create an exercise program that fits with your health risks and your fitness level.

A physical therapist or other rehab professional can carefully design and monitor a program that's right for your level of injury and fitness. They may teach you how to train with weights and will check to make sure you are exercising safely.

You might do resistance training 2 or 3 days each week. You may start with light weights. You might add more weight as you get stronger. You will likely do several different exercises that work the major muscle groups. Examples include the chest press, leg press, and biceps curl.