I have rheumatoid arthritis. When I’m in a major flare swimming or even just treading water is the thing I’ve found. My daily routine is the elliptical, Tai Chi, some very light resistance training and walking. If I do other exercises it often does more harm than good or just straight up painful.
I have arthritis too, and I’d suggest morning stretches and core exercises. Core exercises can be done in many different positions and with very little movement, while still getting the heart beat up fast!
YES!!! Yoga instructed by a certified teacher that truly understands how to modify poses. Gentle, chair and yin yoga are the best, give up on power yoga and the like.
I am a younger person with arthritis, and find that light exercise and stretching in the morning helps me a great deal. After drinking water but before eating breakfast I try to do a quick stretching routine (5 stretches for large muscles) for a few minutes and quick body weight strengthening routine (6-7 exercises like front & side planks 10 secs, hip raises, etc.) for a few minutes. On some days when I can schedule it I take a trip to the pool also. Mostly, I try to focus on the light daily exercises. By doing it first thing in the morning I get the most benefit out of it. I put out my yoga mat and a rope I use for stretches the night before when I prepare my morning water and prescriptions the night before.
I have answers to this question being i can relate and it IS one of my lifelong passions however … Where do these answers go? I would much rather spend this time focusing on an individual. You see there is no one ( generic answer) we are all individuals working thru our own issues. Trying to raise about the noise and confusion.
I an younger (31) but I’ve always battled with muscle soreness and joint pain since I was 20. Light Yoga/ stretching has helped me tremendously. Also. Diet that promotes less inflammation. Low sugar diet, and mostly veggies. (Research it! And start off slow). I also take Calm magnesium supplement. Hope this helps.
Try bloom young videos. The have all types. Fit for different age groups and different size types. Go on YouTube. There is just about every type of exercise. Just move those joints. Every movement will help move to the next. Keeping them. Still makes them stiff. Movement no matter how little , leads to the next. Until it gets easier. ~😁
Easy yoga class, stretching class, water exercise and a trainer that meets you where you are and takes you to the next level that you can do by modifying exercises.
I have fibromyalgia and usually deal with a lot of pain. I tend to just walk. The idea of jumping Jack’s is beyond me. The one minute on stretching after walking while the muscles are warm is really helpful. I have noticed I am much less tight.
Well, I’m only 34, but I’ve had RA since I was 15, so maybe I can help with just a few suggestions that have worked for me at different stages, flare-ups, and pain levels. One of my favorite workouts when I lived near a YMCA was water aerobics. Most YMCAs offer them, so maybe that would be an optio, especially during intense pain and flare-ups. Another thing I like to do to get my heart rate up when my knees are killing me is to put on music (or a Richard Simmons DVD) and grab a chair from the dining table and just use my upper body. The key is to just move, so it doesn’t matter what it looks like, just smile and move to get that heart rate up. 🙂 On the days that I can barely move, I simply sit in as hot of a shower that I can stand. This creates a sauna effect (if you have access to a sauna, use it as long as is safe for your body). This will bring your heart rate up mildly, even on those days that movement is near impossible. Thankfully, I do still have good days and although I’ve had to give up biking and and high-impact sports, I take those good days to go out and walk my dog in our local park. It’s an easy walk and we can make quite a few rounds, if I bring enough water. 🙂 I hope some of these suggestions help and maybe spark some ideas that you can use in your own situations. I think the most helpful thing I’ve had to learn is to just keep going, even if my body has to slow to only an inch a day.
Answers reflect the personal experiences of Fabulous community members. They are not medical or professional advice — for guidance about your health, talk to a qualified professional.