Can You Lift Weights After Donating a Kidney?

If lifting weights is part of your lifestyle, donating a kidney doesn’t mean you have to give it up. Many kidney donors return to resistance training and even competitive weight lifting with no long-term limitations.

The body needs time to heal before you start lifting. Donors should not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for the first four weeks after kidney donor surgery, and heavy lifting is not recommended for about six to eight weeks following surgery. If you had open surgery instead of laparoscopic, you may need to wait closer to 12 weeks.

After that, you can gradually return to lifting, starting with light weights and slowly increasing intensity. By six to 12 months post-donation, many donors are back to their pre-donation performance levels or better.

Is Weight Lifting Safe After Kidney Donation?

Once you’ve recovered from donation surgery, lifting weights is safe for most kidney donors. Just be sure to:

• Ease back in. Start with lighter weights and higher reps to test how your body responds.
• Focus on form. Protect your core and surgical site, especially during compound lifts.
• Stay hydrated. Dehydration can stress your remaining kidney, so be sure to drink enough water.
• Consult your doctor. Your transplant team can guide you on when and how to safely resume lifting.

By taking it slow and following your doctor’s recommendations, you can safely pursue weight lifting, bodybuilding, and strength training after kidney donation.