# Exercise
**URL:** https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/exercise/993
**Category:** General
**Created:** [April 20, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/exercise/993 "2012-04-20T13:33:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@geoffw](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/geoffw)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/exercise/993/1 "2012-04-20T13:33:25Z")
i Have FA and have just begun bodybuilding. Even though FA is a muscle wasting illness will my muscles get bigger and will my control of the weights improve?
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### Author:  [@Patsy](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Patsy)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/exercise/993/2 "2012-04-20T13:48:00Z")
I have no experience of body building but going to 'follow' this as it looks very interesting.
Patsy x
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### Author:  [@Baaartman](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Baaartman)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/exercise/993/3 "2012-04-20T14:58:39Z")
I have ataxia of unknown origin and unknown sca. I have been going to the gym 2-3 times a week for about 3 years now - I was diagnosed with ataxia in '06. I dont do body building, but wanted to see if I could develop my muscles to slow down the progression.
Personally, I think it has. I have noticed a muscle size increase in my chest, arms and legs. It is not massive considering how much I push myself, but it is definately there.
Since I was diagnosed 6 years ago, I am still mobile (and without the aid of a stick - just), so yes, I think it will help somewhat.
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### Author:  [@www.extremeliving.no](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/www.extremeliving.no)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/exercise/993/4 "2012-04-20T15:31:39Z")
Hi 🙂 Sounds cool! I have FA too and I know for a fact that your muscles will be bigger and the controll over the weights too probably. FA isnt really a muscle wasting illness. It misght be a secondary problem to inactivity because its getting harder to move around. I know people with minor and major progression of FA who has builded muscle, so go for it! And good luck 🙂
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### Author:  [@jason\_conrad\_jones](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/jason_conrad_jones)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/exercise/993/5 "2012-04-20T18:22:10Z")
i used to do ameautter boxing although my arms have always been spindly my wife buys me promax muscle builder and chocolate protien bars try these ,or have a talk with ur consultant
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### Author:  [@geoffw](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/geoffw)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/exercise/993/6 "2012-04-20T18:38:02Z")
i take whey protein shakes
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### Author:  [@Stevi](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Stevi)
#### Post date: [April 21, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/exercise/993/7 "2012-04-21T01:42:10Z")
I workout with a personal trainer 3 days a week. I totally believe in exercise physiology and have improved my balance. I totally recommend patients with ataxia to have a workout routine. I also walk on an anti-gravity treadmill which helps with my gait! Stay active!
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### Author:  [@shaggyp68](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/shaggyp68)
#### Post date: [April 21, 2012, 6:19pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/exercise/993/8 "2012-04-21T18:19:27Z")
I was diagnosed with ataxia in 09 due to Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis. Sometime after that I tried the p90x at home system. One of the routines was a yoga routine. After using the yoga routine for a while my balance improved significantly.
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### Author:  [@rose1](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/rose1)
#### Post date: [April 21, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/exercise/993/9 "2012-04-21T20:50:12Z")
I have had sporadic cerebellar ataxia for 8 years (of an unknown cause) and until recently did physical therapy twice weekly. I exercise at home now and definitely thinks it helps! Stay as strong as you can as it will help your balance etc. I also use a "Total Gym" which I purchased on Ebay and free weights to keep my muscles strong. Also, I agree with shaggy68 that yoga improves balance and plan to do more of it. Good luck!