How to Exercise with a Chemo Port
It is scary to exercise with a chemo port in.
But 👉 A chemo port doesn’t stop you from exercising.
I didn't know that exercise could give me the sense of control. Life after cancer is hard and no one know's what you are going through, but after seeing my body exercise. It gave me a sense that I can be normal again. - Stage II Breast Cancer Survivor
In this blog, you will learn:
The benefits of exercise during chemotherapy
How to exercise with a chemo port in
What exercises to avoid
What weight to use when you exercise
How to fit fitness into your survivorship plan.
But, as an online cancer exercise specialist,
I’ll tell you exactly what you need to know to exercise safely with a chemo port.
Why exercise matters — even with a port
Research shows exercise during chemo helps improve:
✅ Energy balance
✅ Strength and endurance
✅ Mental health and confidence
✅ Quality of life
The American Cancer Society recommends you:
Avoid physical inactivity
Aim for 150 minutes of moderate cardio per week
Do 2+ days of strength training a week
So exercise is not only possible with a chemo port, but it is also recommended.
Safety checklist before your next workout
Make sure the port site has healed sufficiently / clear by your doctor or nurse
You have no signs of infection (redness, warmth, discharge)
You wear clothing that doesn’t irritate the port site
Warm up thoroughly; include mobility and light activation exercises before your workout
Monitor your body during exercise: port tugging? discomfort?
Cool down and assess how you feel (port site) after the workout
Log how you felt: energy, pain, port site reaction — adjust next session accordingly
For more information on how to exercise safely after cancer watch the video below.
Understanding your port and exercise
The first thing you need to know is that a chemo port is placed under the skin, not the muscle.
So there are only a few concerns to have with exercise:
Infection, which can occur even if you don’t exercise:
Building so much muscle that it moves the port (not a realistic worry because it’s tough to build muscle during chemo).
Starting to exercise at the incision site is healed
Damaging or moving the port during exercise is not really a big concern, since most ports are designed to last.
Timing & healing: When to start (and how slowly)
You can exercise while the wound is healing, but modifications should be made.
While the incision is healing, you can and should:
Move your body
Walk and/or cycle
Work out the muscles around the incision
Stretch muscles not involved with the incision site.
While the wound is healing, avoid:
Upper body pulling, pushing, and overhead exercises, e.g., heavy overhead presses, deep dips, repeated arm swings.
Lifting more than 5-10 lbs with your upper body
Swimming due to a higher risk of infection.
You should, however:
Train your lower body — body weight squat, hip thrust, leg curl/extension/ raises, butterfly, and calf raises.
Train your legs with machines that don’t require your arms — leg curl/extension/ raises, and butterfly.
Use lighter weights and more reps for your arms (unless other treatment restrictions).
Do physical therapy if you have any limitations after surgery.
Avoid cardio machines that pull on your arms, such as an elliptical or an assault bike.
Key takeaway: The port should not stop you from exercising long-term, but you do need to respect the healing timeline, adapt movements, and progress slowly.
how to exercise with a port once the wound is healed
Once the site is healed:
Ask if you are cleared to swim
Follow your doctor’s guidance on how much weight you can now lift.
Start with mobility exercises for the area with the port and then slowly add weight.
You have no limitations on how much weight you can use just make sure it does not bother the area with the port.
Once you are cleared to exercise:
You are free to exercise your upper body without limitations
Start light with 3-5 lbs
Progress 2 lbs once you can do 3 sets of 10 without soreness or pain
After healing, the port does not affect your exercise
You should, however:
Alternate between days you train your legs with exercises that include your arms — you can do goblet, back squat, and deadlifts, and exercises that don’t incorporate your arms— leg curl/extension/ raises, and butterfly’s. This gives your upper body time to rest.
Start by increasing weight every 2-3 weeks.
Avoid exercises that cause a pull or pain on the port site.
Note: Some oncologists will give you limitations on how much weight you can lift.
Despite my recommendations,
listen to your oncologist first and work with a cancer exercise specialist who can help you work around the weight you can use.
Disclaimer: If you have other complications:
lymphedema
bone metastases
severe fatigue
immunosuppression
You’ll need further modification and will require you to work with a certified cancer exercise specialist or clinical exercise physiologist
who understands working with cancer survivors, chemo ports, and other devices.
Integrating Exercise into your cancer recovery plan during chemo
Phase 1: (0–2 weeks post-placement / early healing): Light walking, gentle lower-body mobility, focusing on squats, leg raises, and calf raises.
Phase 2 (2–6 weeks): Gradually introduce upper-body movements with light load (bands, light dumbbells), avoid heavy pulling/overhead, keep cardio moderate.
Phase 3 (6+ weeks): If cleared to exercise without any weight restrictions, follow a progressive strength training — still with awareness of port site, proper weight, and adequate arm movements
Want a free workout plan?
Exercise with a chemo port workout plan
Common questions & answers about exercise with a port
Q: Can I lift heavy weights with the port?
A: Not immediately — early on, you should avoid heavy lifts for your upper body and only do body weight or machines for the lower body.
But once cleared, you can progress and do big lifts like a squat, bench, shoulder press, and pull-up
As long as your body can handle it and you progress slowly.
Q: I feel a tug or pain around the port with some exercises. Should I stop?
A: Yes, stop the exercise and adjust the movement. Look for a range of motion you can do without discomfort at the port site.
Q: What if my doctor gave me a weight limit, but I still want to lift weights?
A: Ask another oncologist for their second professional opinion and work with a cancer exercise specialist.
What I do for my online coaching clients is show them how to make the exercises harder without adding more weight.
You can slow down the reps, do more reps, or take less rest.
Disclaimer: what if I have…Can I still exercise?
If you have metastasis, neuropathy, a heart condition, a picc line, or lymphedema, you can still exercise.
But you will need an individualized training plan.
The plan will be modified to your needs, making exercise accessible and feasible to you.
If you do not have access to a cancer exercise specialist or you would to work with me.
You will get:
- 60 minutes to get all your questions answered
- Deep dive into your medical history and the exercises needed to target your immune system, bones, heart, strength, and/or energy.
- A full breakdown of how to stay motivated
- An individualized plan on how to get started
- Expert guidance
Having a chemo port doesn’t mean you have to pause your exercise journey indefinitely.
With the proper guidance,
You can move safely, build strength, and stamina to reclaim fitness after cancer.
Hey! I'm your trainer, JC 🤓
Thanks for stopping by the blog!
My free guide below includes at home exercises that are safe to do if you have a chemo port in.
It doesnt matter wether you have a port on your chest or arm.
The exercises are safe to do!
Grab it below.
