Types of Exercise

Exercise is a very important part of keeping your joints healthy and flexible. There are several different types of exercise out there. One popular type of exercise is categorized as range of motion. Activities that fit into this type usually include stretching, to aid flexibility by loosening tendons and muscles. Resistance training is another common type of workout. In this mode, weight or tension is used to strengthen muscles. By building muscles, strain on the joints are reduced. The last basic type of workout is endurance. These exercises are meant to raise your heart rate and increase your breathing. Some great options for this type of workout include walking, running, dancing, jogging, or bicycling. Some other endurance activities involve water, like swimming or water aerobics. These are great because they get your heart rate up while reducing pressure on your joints. While all of these exercises can have positive effects on your health, be sure to speak with your doctor. There may be factors that affect what exercises are best for you.

Arthritis and Workout Safety

As always, interaction with your doctor is important when making decisions. Any health condition can complicate the types of exercise you're able to do. When talking to your doctor about your exercise plan, be sure to keep a list of medications that you're currently on. The next thing to keep in mind is moderation. If you're just starting to work out, it's easy to over-do it. Don't push yourself too hard. Your doctor can help you decide how long and hard to work out, as well. Build up your intensity and endurance over time. Take small steps. Always remember to warm up and stretch and to do cool-down activities after your workout. These stages of the workout are valuable to your health, since they help your body adjust to activity and avoid injury.

Hydration is also important to your exercise plan. Letting yourself become dehydrated can have negative effects on your whole body, even your joints. Water is the best option, since many sports drinks are high in sodium.

You have to be conscientious and your exercise and your body as you work out. Take note of any obvious joint pains. A bit of a dull ache may simply mean that your body isn't used to the work. A sharp pain or an intense ache could denote a larger problem. Watch the way your body moves and works. Be aware of your mechanics. Also make sure that the techniques you are using are done properly. Doing exercise in an incorrect way can cause more harm than good.

Benefits of Exercise

A lack of regular activity can have major risk factors for arthritis sufferers. It makes it easier to gain weight, which puts pressure on joints. If muscles are not maintained, they cannot remove weight from the joints. Healthy muscles help bear weight. Besides avoiding those risks, exercise has other benefits. Working helps to increase flexibility. Regular activity can help boost energy levels and improve sleeping habits, too. It's important to remember that human joints are not like machinery. Using them will not cause them to wear down. Using them improperly can definitely take its toll, but good exercise habits can have major payoff for joint health.