Arthritis Is A Reason To Exercise, Not An Excuse Not To Bother
When it comes to exercise, there’s always some excuse or another not to get down to things. In some cases, these excuses are frankly a load of rubbish. You might convince yourself that you don’t have time, or that you don’t even need to worry. In some cases, though, the excuses we make are a lot more valid than that. Those of us with existing conditions like arthritis, for example, have a legitimate reason why working out can be difficult.
The trouble is that, valid or not; an excuse is an excuse. When it comes to it, even people who have arthritis could benefit from working out regularly. Admittedly, you may need to invest in something like the Flexiseq gel offered from Simple Online Pharmacy before getting stuck in here. This will help to ease the pain you experience and give you the boost you need to get started.
Once you get off the ground, though, you’re sure to notice that exercise makes a huge difference to your levels of discomfort. That’s because working out can strengthen your muscles and joints, improve bone strength, and generally give you energy. Of course, as with any extreme workout, you will want to check with your doctor before getting stuck in. But, if you do get the go-ahead, you should see this as a reason to exercise, not an excuse not to bother.
But, what exercise options would serve you best?
Yoga
Yoga is a fantastic place to start, as it’s a reasonably gentle exercise option you can suit to the needs of your body. This is, after all, a method of exercise which focuses on your mind-body connection. It also centres around a variety of stretches, which can also work wonders for sore joints. Bear in mind that you won’t want to enter extreme yoga moves without thought. In some cases, doing so could even do more harm than good. As a general guideline, try to stick with yoga poses which are known to help with arthritis. Options like downward dog, bridge pose, and also child’s pose can all work well here. That’s because none of them is too strenuous. Still, they each work to build strength in your joints and ensure that you stretch. If you’re considering going for formal yoga lessons, bear in mind that Viniyoga is the best option for arthritis. It’s entirely adaptable and not too tough on your body.
Swimming
Swimming is also supposed to be fantastic for arthritis. In fact, many would go as far as to say that this is the best option of all. That should come as no surprise when you consider that 90% of your body weight is supported under water. That allows you to strengthen your joints without the discomfort which might come with other, land-based options. In some cases, it’s even thought that swimming can prevent the worsening of arthritis. If you aren’t already signed up with your local pool, then, it’s past time you got yourself down there. Even if you’re not altogether comfortable in the water, doing a few laps a day could make a huge difference. You could even opt for water-based swimming alternatives like water jogging and aqua-aerobics. These would allow you to feel the benefits of being in the water without having to worry about the swimming part.
Walking
If you’ve always struggled to get fit but are starting due to arthritis, walking is a fantastic place to begin. This is an especially easy option to manage when your joints are feeling so stiff that you can’t face something more strenuous. In general terms, walking utilises most major muscle groups. If you walk fast and move your arms, you can even target your shoulders. Bear in mind that, to feel the real benefits, you will want a decent pair of walking shoes. These would absorb any shock along the way. If your arthritis impacts your knees or hips, you may even find it worthwhile to use walking sticks to support you. You needn’t even push yourself before you’re ready here. By building up from as little fifteen minutes a day, you should be able to achieve your 150-minute workout quota for the week. Try starting small, and adding five minutes each week. Over time, walking can also build your stamina. That could also see you feeling able to reach for other exercise options down the line.
Strength training
Strength training is something that most of us would instinctively avoid after a diagnosis of arthritis. But, this too could help you a great deal. That’s because, done properly, this is a fantastic way of strengthening the muscles around the affected joint. That, in turn, could see you with more support and a lot less pain. Bear in mind that, done wrong, this could end up doing more damage than good. As such, it’s essential that you work with a personal trainer or physical coach with experience in arthritis. You may also want to time your weight lifting sessions around periods when your stiffness is at its worse. Note, too, that warming up well is vital to finding success here. If you jump right in with lifting weights before your body is ready, you’re only going to land yourself in more pain. Instead, do a decent warm up before you even get near those weights. Remember, as well, that diet matters to anyone lifting weights. It’s especially vital if you want to feel the benefits on your joints. That’s because eating the right protein-rich foods ensures that your muscles can heal and rebuild themselves. That can help to avoid post-workout stiffness. It will also ensure that you don’t suffer more than you would have if you didn’t train your body at all.
Conclusion
There’s no denying that it’s tempting to reduce movement when your joints hurt in this way. It’s an unpleasant and debilitating problem. But, you could well find that forcing yourself to move through it is the best way to reduce your pain for good.
