Background: Type 2 diabetes is a disease which is becoming more prevalent in the world. Physical activity is, with dietary changes the primary treatment before the use of drugs. Patients usually have to rely on their self-care and the health professionals are only used for diagnosis and prescribe pharmaceutical treatment.

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe patients' with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes experiences of physical activity.

Method: The method used in the study was a literature review based on an analysis of twelve qualitative articles. The study uses Fribergs (2012) five step analysis method.

Results: The results that were found showed that there are motivators and barriers to physical activity. The result produced four themes and eleven subthemes. The themes were: a feeling of fear, a feeling of guilt/shame and demands, a feeling of support and a feeling of well-being.

Conclusion: Patients' experiences shows that what motivates or stops them from physical activity is individual. An individual care-plan can help them to get motivated and carry on to a higher level of physical activity.