Move to Manage: How Exercise Empowers People Living with Diabetes
Duncan Rock - Owner of Life is Movement Clinic – Brighton & Hove Physiotherapy & Wellness
For those living with Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, the daily challenge of managing blood sugar levels can feel overwhelming. But here’s some good news: exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for improving blood glucose control, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and promoting long-term health — and it doesn’t have to be intimidating.
At Life is Movement Clinic in Brighton & Hove, we specialize in helping individuals integrate safe, science-backed movement into their lives — particularly those managing chronic health conditions like diabetes. With the right support, you can turn movement into medicine.
Why Exercise Matters for Diabetes
When we exercise, our muscles pull glucose from the bloodstream to use for energy. Over time, this increases insulin sensitivity — meaning your body becomes better at using insulin effectively. That’s a big win for anyone managing diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
Studies from the American Diabetes Association and British Journal of Sports Medicine highlight that a combined program of aerobic and resistance training offers the best outcomes for glycaemic control and long-term health outcomes.
The Twin Approach: Strength + Cardio
A balanced program includes both cardiovascular and resistance training — and each plays a unique role in managing diabetes.
1. Cardiovascular Training (Walking, Cycling, Swimming)
Improves insulin sensitivity
Enhances glucose uptake
Supports cardiovascular health
Can help to reduce visceral fat (a key driver of metabolic dysfunction)
Just 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity five times a week has been shown to reduce HbA1c (a marker of long-term blood sugar control) by 0.7% on average — similar to the effect of some medications.
2. Resistance Training (Bodyweight, Weights, Bands)
Builds muscle (which burns more glucose at rest)
Reduces fat mass
Strengthens joints and improves balance
Enhances long-term metabolic control
Two to three sessions per week of resistance training can significantly improve insulin action and overall glucose regulation. It also plays a critical role in preventing muscle loss, which is important as we age.
Don’t Forget Nutrition
We often say at Life is Movement: “Exercise opens the door, but nutrition decides what walks through it.”
Exercise and nutrition work in tandem — so coupling a sensible, sustainable nutritional plan with your movement program gives your body the tools it needs to thrive. This is particularly important for people with diabetes, where blood sugar control depends on both input (what you eat) and output (what you burn and build).
Safety First: You Don’t Have to Fear Movement
Many people with diabetes are afraid to exercise — concerned about injury, blood sugar crashes, or making things worse. But with the right guidance, exercise can be not only safe but profoundly empowering.
That’s where we come in.
At Life is Movement Clinic, we create tailored exercise programs based on your individual fitness level, medical history, and goals. Whether you’ve never stepped foot in a gym or you’re getting back to movement after a diagnosis, our physiotherapy-led approach keeps your safety, confidence, and results front and centre.
A Call to Action: Let’s Move Forward Together
If you’re living with Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes in Brighton & Hove, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our clinic offers expert physiotherapy, clinical exercise guidance, and lifestyle support to help you regain control of your health — at your pace, on your terms.
Book a consultation today and take the first step toward a stronger, more empowered future. Because the truth is, you don’t need to fear exercise. You just need to learn how to use it wisely.
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