When you have fibromyalgia, sometimes it takes all your strength just to get out of bed and do your normal daily tasks. Being asked to exercise on top of that seems impossible.

See What You Need to Know About Fibromyalgia

Woman performing a seated yoga pose in a studio.

There are several different types of yoga, so you can find the type that best suits you. See What Type of Yoga Is Best for You?

While it may be difficult to overcome pain and fatigue, it's important to keep moving. Studies have shown that regularly engaging in a variety of aerobic exercises can help relieve fibromyalgia pain and symptoms.

See Exercise Helps Relieve Fibromyalgia Symptoms

In addition to giving you more energy and flexibility—which can ease the fatigue and joint pain of fibromyalgia—exercise offers lots of other important benefits.

Exercise can:

Improve your mood and decrease anxiety
Help you sleep better at night
Lower your blood pressure and improve circulation
Help you manage your weight

See Characteristic Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Here are some low-impact ways to get active that are a great fit for people with fibromyalgia:

1. Swimming, water aerobics, or water therapy

Being in a pool is great for those with painful joints, because the water offers both buoyancy and gentle resistance. You don’t have to be an experienced lap-swimmer to get the most out of the pool—many pools offer low-impact water aerobics classes that take place in waist-deep water. Also, those with limited range of motion may want to consider individualized water therapy sessions in a warm hydrotherapy pool.

See Water Workouts Ease Fibromyalgia Pain

2. Get walking

Adding exercise to your life can be as close as an evening stroll through your neighborhood. Work toward walking 30 minutes a day on most days. You can split up the time into a 10-minute walk at lunch and a 20-minute walk in the evening, if that’s easier.

If you need extra stability because of lower joint pain or slippery conditions, consider walking with trekking poles (known as Nordic walking). Or you can take your routine inside to a treadmill or elliptical machine. Many now come equipped with built-in TVs, so you can even watch your favorite program while you exercise.

See When I'm in Pain, Should I Exercise or Rest?

3. Yoga or Pilates

Yoga and Pilates both involve a slow and steady progression of poses to help increase flexibility, balance, and strength. If you have range of motion limitations, work with your instructor to modify poses that are difficult. Many instructors have experience working with those with conditions like fibromyalgia, so ask ahead of time.

See Tai Chi and Yoga for Arthritis

4. Strength training

Strength training, also known as weight training, is not just for bodybuilders. This type of exercise not only strengthens muscles, but it gives you better flexibility and more stability—especially if you focus on strengthening the core muscles of your abdominals, back, and buttocks.

See 7 Core Exercises to Relieve Back and Hip Arthritis Pain

You don’t have to join a gym or get a personal trainer to do strength training; you can do it at home with the use of barbells, resistance bands, or an exercise ball.

5. Tai chi

Tai chi involves moving through gentle, controlled poses while standing. It also encourages calm mindfulness. Tai chi is safe and accessible for just about anyone to do.

See How Mind-Body Techniques Help With Fibromyalgia

Don’t let a fear of exercising keep you from making the most of the benefits you can receive by being active. If you have questions, talk with your doctor about the exercise options that would be the best fit for you.