Many people with lung disease express how exercise, in the form of pulmonary rehabilitation, has been the most life changing treatment they have been offered.
With this in mind, BLF produced BLF Active. With funding from Air Products, BLF Active collaborated with Loughborough College and leading Health Care Professionals to produce a qualification for fitness instructors called 'Chronic Respiratory Disease Exercise' (CRDE). BLF Active funded over 140 instructors to complete the CRDE qualification.
What is 'Chronic Respiratory Disease Exercise' (CRDE)?
The CRDE course at Loughborough College equips fitness instructors to provide maintenance exercise for people after Pulmonary Rehabilitation. You may have been encouraged by your
Pulmonary Rehabilitation team or Health Care Professional to maintain your fitness through
exercise; exercising with a qualified CRDE instructor is the safest way to do this.
Exercising with a CRDE instructor usually takes the form of circuit classes with other people with lung conditions. 
Typically, classes are:
- 1 hour long
- consist of standing and seated exercises
- tailored for each individual's abilities and goals
- designed to improve walking and help manage breathlessness.
- in safe, accessible venues.
Some specialist CRDE instructors also assist people with lung conditions to exercise do personal exercise in a gym environment, or instruct group exercise like Zumba or Tai Chi.
How do I attend a CRDE Class?
Over 200 fitness instructors have qualified at Loughborough College to give specialist Chronic Respiratory Disease Exercise. Over half of those instructors were given grants from BLF Active. Many CRDE classes are attended by friends, relatives and carers as well. You may find it useful to ask someone to go with you. To attend a class, follow these steps:
Step 1. Find a CRDE Instructor
Your
pulmonary rehabilitation team or healthcare professional may have contact with a local instructor trained to give CRDE (Chronic Respiratory Disease Exercise). You can also
contact a local instructor directly from our
list.
Step 2. Request a Referral
You must consult your pulmonary rehabilitation or healthcare professional before attending the class. They will then give you a referral to bring to the class.
Go back to 'Exercise Safely with a Lung Condition'.
