The Best Core Exercises to do Before and After Cancer Surgery
Whether you are 6 weeks out of cancer surgery
or 2 weeks out of cancer surgery, these 6 core exercises will help you:
Recover faster
Maintain your mobility after surgery
Return to work quicker
Strengthen your core
Here are the 6 best core exercises to do before and after cancer surgery (once you are cleared, of course).
1. Dead bug — keeps your Core tight After cancer surgery
My favorite core exercise to teach, that when done right, will light up your core!
And if you do it right,
You will be able to continue to do it after cancer surgery as well.
This is a great exercise that teaches you to keep your core tight.
2.Bird Dogs — Tightens the Glutes & Lower Back after cancer
This is a great exercise because it works on your balance, core, and shoulders all at the same time, which get extremely weak after cancer surgery.
Tip: Instead of alternating sides focus on doing all your reps on one side first and then switch.
If you want to know whether this is a safe exercise to do with a chemo port in, click here.
3. Plank — The Best Core Exercise after cancer
Planks keep your body straight, and they’re by far one of the best exercises to strengthen the lower back and core.
To learn how long you should be able to hold a plank, click here.
Suitcase carry — Works your balance and core after cancer
Carrying weight while keeping your body upright is harder than it looks.
The goal is to keep your balance as you move your legs.
Tip: The faster your go the more cardio you will get the slower the more strength you will get from the exercise.
Pallof press — Is the most underused core exercise after cancer
The pallof press is an exercise that stops your body from twisting.
Your core helps you twist and also focuses it on stoping your body from twisitng.
A strong pallof press helps you turn and twist without any pain.
Glute bridge — not an ab exercise, but still a great exercise after cancer
The glute bridge is not an ab exercise, but it does train your core.
Your core also includes the glutes and lower back.
Tip: Do this in bed on days you have cancer fatigue.
For more glute and leg strengthening exercises after cancer, click here
How often should you train your core
You don’t need to do all 6 exercises every day.
Do 2 exercises if you are going to train your core 3 days a week
Or
Do 3 of the exercises two days a week.
The goal is to choose a routine that works for you.
But core training is just one piece of the puzzle; for the best recovery, you still need a plan that builds more overall strength as well.
Hey!
I'm your Online Coach, JC 🤓
If you have any questions about cancer, exercise, health, or fitness, please do not hesitate to ask!
Here are my top 6 best core exercises to do before cancer surgery to improve your recovery