Exercise oncology: how to find a cancer exercise program or trainer

Exercise oncology is a field that studies physical activity for people with cancer, during treatment and after it. If you want help being active while you go through treatment, a professional with cancer training may be able to work with you and your oncology team. Here is who does this work, how to check a credential and where to look, wherever you live in the US.

Start with your oncology team

Ask your oncologist or nurse navigator before you start or change an exercise routine. They know your treatment, your blood counts and any limits after surgery, and some cancer centers run their own exercise or rehab programs. Exercise goes alongside cancer treatment and never replaces it.

Who does this work

  • Cancer exercise trainers and specialists: fitness professionals with extra training in cancer. The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Cancer Society offer a Cancer Exercise Specialist course (their earlier cancer exercise certification was revised and expanded into it). ACSM: Cancer Exercise Specialist.
  • Clinical exercise physiologists: often work in hospital or rehab settings and may be part of a cancer center's program.
  • Physical and occupational therapists: licensed clinicians for rehab after surgery or treatment, or for problems like weakness, balance or lymphedema. Ask your team for a referral if this sounds like you.

You can confirm an ACSM certification with its ProFinder lookup. Other organizations offer cancer exercise training too, so ask a trainer where theirs came from.

Where to find a program near you

ACSM's Moving Through Cancer program keeps a directory to help people find cancer rehabilitation and exercise programs in their communities. Moving Through Cancer: program directory. Your cancer center's survivorship or support program, and local cancer wellness centers, are also good places to ask.

Questions to ask before you start

  • What training do you have in working with people who have cancer?
  • How often do you work with people in active treatment?
  • Will you check with my oncology team, and share notes if I ask you to?
  • How do you adjust a session on a low-energy day or after an infusion?
  • Do you meet in person, by video, or both?
  • What does a session cost? Is there a cancer center or community program that is free or lower cost?

Coverage depends on your plan and on the kind of service. Call the number on your insurance card to ask what yours covers.

Hear when a practitioner in your state joins Alongside

Alongside is adding practitioners who work with people in cancer care, and we verify each practitioner's credentials before they can accept patients. Pick your state and we'll send one email when someone there joins.

Hear when someone near you joins.

Want a single email when someone licensed in your state joins? We only keep your email and state.

Are you a physical therapist, OT or exercise physiologist who works in cancer care?

Joining is free today, you set your own rates, and we check your credentials before you can accept patients. We are adding Illinois practitioners first. See how joining works.

More guides: oncology massage and finding an oncology nutritionist.

This page is general information to help you find a practitioner. It is not medical advice and not an exercise plan. Talk to your oncology team before starting or changing exercise during or after treatment. Alongside is not affiliated with the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Cancer Society or any cancer center.