How exercise can help1
The exercise information provided on this page is for people with IBD in general and may not suit all individuals. Your healthcare professional is the best person to advise you on what activities are suitable for you depending on the severity of your condition and your treatment plan.
What benefits can exercise bring?
Exercise is a great way to help maintain your weight, improve your overall health, strengthen your muscles, bones and immune system, and boost your mood.1
In addition to increasing physical fitness, physical activity makes your body release endorphins — feel-good chemicals that can help relieve discomfort. This makes exercise an important tool for people with IBD to help manage their mental health.1
Balance your exercise intensity with your IBD
Your IBD recovery may not be linear, and you may experience flare-ups along the way. You can read more about dealing with flares, here. Learn what your body is capable of during remission, medium-level symptoms and a full flare-up to work out your ‘normal’.2
The good news is that low to moderate exercise is generally safe for people in remission or with low disease activity. You can use these periods to improve your fitness and be more adventurous.2
During periods of more severe symptoms, you may need to scale back to lower impact exercises, like yoga or walking, or rest more often. It’s OK to stop entirely when your body tells you to.2
The main barriers to exercising with IBD may be symptoms like belly pain and fatigue, especially during flare-ups, increased recovery time, and needing to have easy access to a toilet.3
Here are some tips for exercising with IBD:1,2
Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
If you plan to join group classes, check that you can easily access a bathroom when necessary.
Plan walking routes around areas with accessible bathrooms, like your neighbourhood, shopping areas or well-equipped parks.
24-hour gyms can accommodate changes in your schedule.
There are thousands of online fitness classes (e.g., YouTube) that you can try from the comfort of your home, whenever you like.
Talk to your dietitian to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need to support your exercise routine.
If you’re recovering from surgery, consult a healthcare professional on a plan to slowly build up your strength.
The best kind of exercise is something you enjoy doing. You may want to see an exercise physiologist to work out an exercise plan that takes your condition into consideration while targeting your fitness goals.
References: 1. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Exercise. Available from: crohnscolitisfoundation.org/patientsandcaregivers/campus-connection/navigating-college/exercise Accessed: August 2025. 2. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Exercise and lifestyle. Available from: crohnsandcolitis.ca/Test/About-Crohn-s-Colitis/IBD-Journey/Exercise-and-Lifestyle/Therapeutic-Monitoring Accessed: August 2025. 3. Engels M et al. Clin Exp Gastroenterol 2017;11:1–11. AC-005092-00. AU-RNQ-250067. August 2025.