20 Best Exercises for Thyroid Patients to Lose Weight
The thyroid gland is an essential metabolic regulator. People who have undergone radioactive iodine treatment or surgery and have hypothyroidism or no thyroid experience rapid weight gain, sluggishness, and joint pain.
Most significantly, hypothyroidism can impact mood in addition to raising triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. Even though the adverse effects of hypothyroidism typically discourage people from engaging in physical activity, experts contend that the only ways to lose excess weight are through exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
Keep reading to learn the exercises for thyroid patients to lose weight.
Table of Contents
What is Thyroid?
The thyroid is a gland in the neck beneath the Adam's apple that resembles a butterfly. It generates hormones that regulate temperature, energy levels, and metabolism, such as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
These hormones influence digestion, body weight regulation, and heart rate, among other physiological functions. Diseases like hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid can be brought on by imbalances in thyroid hormones and harm overall health and well-being.
Causes of Thyroid
Multiple causes lead to thyroid gland conditions. Some common ones are a lack of iodine in the diet, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disorders, genetic predisposition or individual susceptibility, and certain drugs or treatments. These reasons must be understood to diagnose and treat those with a malfunctioning thyroid.
Autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease.
Iodine deficiency within your meals.
Endocrine imbalances such as pregnancy or menopause.
Genetic susceptibility or family history related to any malfunctioning of the endocrine system.
Certain drugs and therapies, including ionising radiation treatments for cancer.
20 Best Exercises for Thyroid Patients
Exercise regularly is crucial for thyroid health management and weight loss. The right mix of cardiovascular, strength training, flexibility, and mind-body exercises can enhance metabolism and improve overall well-being for thyroid patients.
Low-Impact Cardiovascular Exercises for Thyroid
Cardiovascular exercises with low impact are good for heart health and metabolism and easy on the joints. They are perfect for thyroid patients who need to control their weight without risking harm.
1. Walking
Walking is the easiest and best exercise for thyroid patients to lose weight. It is a low-impact exercise that individuals suffering from hypothyroidism can do anywhere. Walking improves cardiac health and has potential mood-boosting benefits (including depression and fatigue).
Coupled with a good pair of shoes and walking briskly, individuals can burn up to 280 calories per hour. Therefore, stop using cars and walk for a short distance or whenever you can roam around.
2. Cycling
Cycling is an additional, significant, low-impact cardiovascular workout for thyroid patients. It helps to improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle tone, and boost overall stamina. Cycling can burn many calories on a stationary bike at home or outside, and it is gentle on the joints. Regular cycling can help improve metabolism, which is often sluggish in thyroid patients.
3. Swimming
Swimming is a full-body workout that is especially beneficial for thyroid patients. It helps burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, and build muscle strength without putting stress on the joints. The resistance of the water makes muscles work harder, which can aid in weight loss and overall fitness. Swimming also has a relaxing effect, which can help manage stress levels.
Strength Training Exercises for Thyroid Patients
Strength training exercises help build muscle mass, increase metabolic rate, and support overall body strength. They are particularly beneficial for thyroid patients who want to enhance their fitness levels and manage weight effectively.
4. Strength Training
Strength training is one of the most effective exercises for weight loss. Thyroid patients can opt for this type of exercise as it helps to increase metabolic rate and muscle mass, leading to increased calorie burn. Strength training also eliminates muscle loss; length training allows individuals to stay fit.
The benefits are not limited to treating thyroid issues; strength training improves heart health and regulates blood glucose levels.
5. Push-Ups
Push-ups can be an effective exercise for thyroid patients to lose weight. Individuals do not need any equipment to practise push-ups and can easily do this at home. Push-ups involve chest muscles, triceps, core muscles, and shoulder muscles, thus reducing weight from those areas and helping to gain muscle mass.
There are two types of push-up variants: higher intensity and lower intensity. Thyroid patients must choose a method that suits their bodily condition.
6. Overhead Press
The overhead press is a part of resistance training. According to Medical News Today, this exercise helps reduce body fat in areas like the back and improves core strength.
The core comprises muscles like the diaphragm, pelvic floor, transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, etc. This exercise engages these muscles and helps to enhance core strength, resulting in increased balance and stability. Additionally, this exercise increases bone density for thyroid patients who are at an advanced age. Therefore, practise overhead press and enjoy these benefits.
Flexibility and Balance Exercises for Thyroid
Exercises that promote flexibility and balance are crucial for improving joint function and reducing the risk of injury. These exercises help thyroid patients maintain a well-rounded fitness routine and improve their physical stability.
7. Yoga
Yoga is also a good exercise for thyroid patients to lose weight. There are various types of yoga, such as fish pose, plough pose, cat-cow pose, supported shoulder stand, legs-up-the-wall pose, camel pose, upward bow (wheel pose), corpse pose, cobra pose, boat pose, and supported headstand.
Almost all these yoga poses help to improve thyroid function, especially fish pose and shoulder stand, which are believed to be most effective in boosting thyroid function. Individuals can visit various yoga studios or watch online videos to learn the postures. Further, these poses can enhance cardio health, gain flexibility, and balance benefits.
8. Pilates
Pilate is a popular low-impact exercise that helps to achieve weight loss goals and burn calories in a significant amount. Further, this exercise strengthens muscles and enhances flexibility.
Pilates usually targets the core but is also effective on other body parts. Thyroid patients can practise pilates without any equipment and thus easily follow the routine at home. This exercise focuses on breathing and involves gentle movements. Pilates can be an ideal choice if thyroid patients seek ways to lose weight without an intense workout.
9. Tai Chi
Originating in China as a martial art, Tai Chi is a classic exercise technique that helps improve strength, mood, and balance. It includes a chain of slow, meditative exercises. Tai Chi is a moving meditation that works as a stress buster. This low-impact exercise is capable of significantly increasing flexibility and strength.
Mind-Body Exercises for Thyroid
Mind-body exercises combine physical movement with mental focus, relieving stress and improving overall well-being. These exercises are especially beneficial for thyroid patients in managing symptoms and enhancing quality of life.
10. Meditation with Gentle Stretching
Incorporating meditation with gentle stretching can be highly beneficial for thyroid patients. Meditation helps reduce stress levels, which is crucial for managing thyroid conditions.
Gentle stretching exercises, such as neck and shoulder rolls, can be combined with meditation to enhance relaxation and overall flexibility. This combination promotes a sense of well-being and can help manage thyroid-related symptoms better.
Exercises Targeting Weight Loss and Metabolism for Thyroid Patients
Exercises targeting weight loss and boosting metabolism are essential for thyroid patients struggling with weight gain due to hormonal imbalances. These exercises help to burn calories efficiently and support metabolic health.
11. Rowing
Rowing is one of the effective exercises for thyroid patients to lose weight. This exercise helps to lose weight by burning extra calories. This type of exercise aids in mobilising fat in the body, which can be used as energy. However, the amount of calories burned depends on the intensity of the exercise, body weight, and machine used.
12. Squats
Squats help to burn an average of 35 calories per minute. An 8-week squat exercise training plan helps participants reduce body fat by 4.2% and increase strength and muscle size. Squats help build muscle, burn more calories per minute than the treadmill, stimulate metabolic rate and hormonal response, improve mental health, increase strength, and tone the body.
13. High-Rep, Low-Weight Resistance Training
High-repetition, low-weight resistance training is efficient for thyroid patients. This exercise routine helps burn fat and build muscle endurance without putting too much strain on the body. It involves performing more repetitions with lighter weights, which increases the heart rate and promotes calorie burn. This type of training can be integrated into a regular workout routine for optimal results.
14. Water Aerobics
Water aerobics are low-impact exercises done in waist or neck-deep water by following usual aerobic forms. These exercises benefit weight loss, cardiovascular fitness, and stress relief. Thyroid patients willing to lose weight without putting much pressure on joints can choose water aerobics.
15. Dancing
Dancing is a fun and effective way for thyroid patients to lose weight. It combines aerobic exercise with coordination and flexibility. Dancing helps burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, and boost mood. Various dance forms like Zumba, ballroom, and contemporary dance can be enjoyed while enhancing overall fitness.
16. Swimming Laps
Swimming laps is an intense form of swimming that can help burn a significant number of calories. It combines cardiovascular exercise with muscle strengthening. Swimming laps require continuous movement, which helps to keep the heart rate up and improve endurance. This exercise is particularly beneficial for thyroid patients as it is accessible on the joints.
17. Elliptical Training
Elliptical training benefits thyroid patients as it provides a low-impact cardiovascular workout, reducing joint stress and promoting overall fitness. Regular exercise helps regulate metabolism, which is often disrupted in thyroid conditions. It can also improve mood and energy levels by boosting endorphins.
18. Jumping Rope
Jumping rope is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that helps in burning calories rapidly. It improves coordination, cardiovascular health, and muscle strength. Although it is a high-impact exercise, thyroid patients who do not have joint issues can benefit greatly from this activity. It can be modified to lower intensity by incorporating intervals of rest.
19. Hiking
Hiking combines walking with varying terrains, increasing the workout's intensity. It helps burn more calories than regular walking. Hiking also provides the benefit of being in nature, which can reduce stress levels and improve mental well-being. Thyroid patients can choose trails that match their fitness levels to avoid overexertion.
20. Stair Climbing
Climbing stairs is an effective way to burn calories and improve cardiovascular health. It also strengthens the muscles in the legs and glutes. Thyroid patients can incorporate stair climbing into their daily routine by choosing stairs instead of elevators. This simple yet effective exercise can significantly contribute to weight loss efforts.
Types of Equipment Required for Thyroid Exercise
Certain thyroid patient exercises require specific equipment to enhance their effectiveness and safety. This table lists exercises that require equipment, ensuring that thyroid patients are well-prepared for a comprehensive workout routine.
Exercise |
Required Equipment |
| Cycling | Stationary bike or bicycle |
| Swimming | Swimming pool |
| Strength Training | Weights, resistance bands |
| Overhead Press | Dumbbells or barbell |
| Rowing | Rowing machine |
| Pilates | Pilates mat, reformer (optional) |
| Water Aerobics | Swimming pool |
| High-Rep, Low-Weight Resistance Training | Light weights, resistance bands |
| Elliptical Training | Elliptical machine |
| Jumping Rope | Jump rope |
| Stair Climbing | Stairs or stair-climbing machines |
Benefits of Exercise for Thyroid Patients
Physical activity has many other benefits for people with thyroid issues, including helping them control their body weight better, increase metabolic rate, and maintain general well-being. These advantages are why physical exercise is necessary among individuals who suffer from thyroid problems.
1. Managing Weight
Exercise helps those suffering from thyroid conditions manage their weight well by encouraging energy expenditure and promoting fat loss, thereby improving the body’s composition.
2. Boosting Metabolism
Exercise stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more thyroxine hormone, increasing metabolic rates and leading to high energy levels.
3. Improving Mood
Exercise is one of the ways that can be used to fight against depression and anxiety symptoms that are commonly experienced by people living with health disorders caused by poor functioning of the thyroid.
4. Bolstering Muscles
Strength training activities work on building muscles, which is essential since they help patients with thyroid problems have normal metabolism and maintain joint health.
5. Enhancing Heart Health
Cardiovascular exercises like swimming, cycling, or walking improve blood flow around your heart, reducing cardiovascular disease risks, particularly in those with known hypothyroidism.
6. Stress Reduction
Physical activity acts as a natural stress reliever, helping thyroid patients manage stress levels, which can positively impact thyroid function and overall health.
How Effective are these Exercises for Thyroid Patients?
A 2014 study shows that practising yoga can help to improve thyroid function. However, more research is required to get established answers.
As stated in the introductory paragraph, hypothyroidism lowers metabolism, thus increasing body weight. One of the most effective ways to increase metabolism is to practise exercise.
A proper workout plan makes metabolism efficient as it helps to burn more calories, and fat, lower blood sugar levels, and balance weight-loss-promoting hormones (such as leptin).
Which Weight Loss Exercises Should Thyroid Patients Avoid?
Individuals suffering from hypothyroidism can practise low-impact exercises to lose weight. However, they must avoid High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) as these exercises can damage health and make patients feel fatigued.
Thyroid patients must take care when engaging in specific exercises to avoid worsening signs, symptoms, and complications. Therefore, it is important to know what exercises to avoid to live a healthy life and effectively manage thyroid-related conditions.
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): HIIT workouts may lead to bodily stress, fatigue, or worsening of thyroid disorder symptoms.
- Heavy Lifting: Activities that entail heavy lifting or extreme strain on the body might overstrain it, making thyroid problems worse.
- Prolonged Endurance Activities: The thyroid gland could be burdened further if an individual continuously participates in long-lasting endurance activities such as marathon running, intense cycling sessions, etc., which can lead to hormonal imbalances.
- Overly Strenuous Workouts: Too much high-impact exercise, like intense aerobics and plyometrics, can raise cortisol levels, adversely affecting thyroid function.
- Joint-Straining Activities: Anyone with a thyroid condition should also avoid exercises that exert too much pressure on joints, such as heavy weightlifting and repetitive jumpy actions.
Disclaimer: Practise the above-mentioned exercises under the supervision of a trained practitioner and consult a doctor beforehand to ensure your body is fit enough to perform the required moves/postures.
Incorporating the right exercises is essential for thyroid patients aiming to lose weight. Low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, and elliptical training can effectively manage weight while minimising joint strain. By maintaining a balanced exercise routine, thyroid patients can improve their health and well-being.
