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Safe to start

Who can start today, who should see a doctor first, and the signs that mean stop.

3 min read

Most adults can start exercising today. A small group should speak to a doctor first, and everyone should know the few signs that mean stop.

Should you see a doctor first?

  1. Do you have chest pain, fainting, unusual breathlessness, a racing heartbeat or ankle swelling?

    Yes: Stop here. See a doctor before exercising.

    No: Go to the next question.

  2. Has a doctor told you that you have heart, kidney or metabolic disease such as diabetes?

    Yes: Get medical clearance first, then start light and build slowly.

    No: Go to the next question.

  3. Are you mostly inactive right now, exercising fewer than 3 days a week?

    Yes: Start at light to moderate effort and build up over weeks.

    No: Carry on, and build intensity gradually.

Screening rests on three things: how active you are now, any signs or known disease, and how hard you plan to train.[1]

Normal during training

  • Muscles burning near the end of a set
  • Breathing hard, then recovering within a minute or two
  • Muscle soreness a day or two later

Stop and get help

  • Chest pain, pressure or tightness
  • Dizziness, faintness or confusion
  • A heartbeat that feels irregular or racing
  • Sharp or sudden joint pain

Some

activity is better than none, even if you cannot reach the target yet[2]

Start low

and build slowly if you have been inactive[2]

Pregnant, recovering from surgery, or managing a long-term condition? Follow your doctor's advice first. Levlofit will ask you and adjust.

Key points

  • Most adults can start today; some should see a doctor first.
  • Chest pain, fainting, dizziness or an irregular heartbeat mean stop and get help.
  • Some activity is better than none: start low and build slowly.

Up next

Sources

  1. [1] Riebe D et al. Updating ACSM's recommendations for exercise preparticipation health screening. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2015;47(11):2473-2479.
  2. [2] Bull FC et al. World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med 2020;54:1451-1462.

General information from published guidelines, not medical advice, and not reviewed by a clinician. See a doctor for pain, illness, pregnancy or before hard training if you have a condition.