Exercise behaviour changes in patients with chronic illnesses and exercise self-efficacy were studied. Fifty-one per cent were in the contemplation stage and 29% in maintenance. Sixty-one per cent of the patients were non-adopters and 39% were adopters. Self-efficacy scores in stages four and five were significantly higher than in stage two. In patients with one chronic condition 55% were non-adopters compared to 71% with more than one condition.