As mentioned before, I have two troublesome joints (left elbow, right knee) being in my mid-20s I want to do more exercise to help these and my other joints.
I have a rowing machine we I use, which is fairly low impact and isn't too hard on my knee (if anything it can strengthen the joint) but aside from walking what else can I look to be doing? Would an exercise bike be too harsh on my knee but then again does that depend on how 'hard' the workout is?
Swimming and Ellipticals are mainly mentioned but the former is a bit out of the question currently - I could look for a cheap elliptical machine perhaps?
This is combined with a low-weights workout to help my feeble arms actually gain some muscle.
Thanks!
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gr95
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You need to see a physio to assess your individual condition…..you don’t want to over do things with the wrong exercises for you..If you can’t get an NHS referral it is surely worth a few pounds to do the right thing?
True, I will continue exercise routine regardless as it is important to be doing so and from previous conversations these are fine. More so new exercises!
I actually find that the most important thing for my body is variety. I can’t do any high impact stuff so mix marching up (very steep) hills, walking, pilates, gym and QiGong. What I’ve found is that low impact respiration and stretching (the pilates & QiGong) actually has a very positive cardio effect. Not much good having a heart that’s all bouncy in a body that is arthritically stiff and inflexible.
Pilates sound good, I find my joints constantly ‘pop’ whatever exercise I do so maybe something like this could benefit? What are your experience with crepitus if any?
The NHS website has a good range of Pilates videos and one instructor in particular, Sam Webster, looks at Pilates for a number of medical conditions. Her Pilates for Arthritis video isn't so much a complete work-out but looks at how to tweak moves to protect joints that give issues. She is very easy to follow.I'm looking at trying a month at £4.99 with Instructor Live to use her 'Introduction to Pilates' course. If it goes well we are debating paying the £9.99 a month to allow access to all of the courses they offer as opposed to just one.
Most of the NHS fitness videos are by Instructor Live and they recommend them if you are looking for more options.
I wonder why swimming is out of the question - any particular reason? I find Aquafit very good as it's low impact but you can get the heart really working. It's easy to control how much you do so you can good easy on a particular joint if necessary.
Me too. My class is Aquarobics . You can put as much or as little effort in as you want and use weights to make it harder. It increases your heart rate and lets you put all your joints through a wide range of movements.
You've obviously got more willpower than me! I pay a monthly subscription and then book two Aquafit classes a week in advance which means that I actually go as otherwise I'd feel guilty about wasting the money 😂
Sadly there are only 2 classes a week at my pool - apart from one at 7.30 am and I don't function at that time in the morning! I tried Aquajog but can't get on with that. Once the pandemic is over (!) I want to go to a gentle exercise class which I tried and also enjoyed but atm it doesn't feel safe as it's in a small room with no ventilation.
Oh that's a shame - yes, it is a bit "brr" when I first get in but once I'm moving it's OK for me. Before I tried it, I chatted to one of the instructors about my RA and she pointed out that the pool was colder than those used for hydrotherapy so I asked a rheumy physio for advice. She said to try it and as long as any discomfort afterwards came from muscles rather than joints it was fine. I haven't done it with sore joints and I'm lucky that my RA is currently well controlled.
I'm answering this after a killer cardio workout on my Peloton. I love swimming but don't like to go for fear of picking up covid. I also love walking but due to a knackered hip, sore foot and creaky knees I can't get my heart pumping. I know the bike is expensive but I love spinning and so does my husband. I get a 300 calorie burn in 30 mins and finish sweaty and breathless. I have osteo arthritis in my knees and hip and rheumatoid.
Hi gr95, I had a troublesome knee and shoulders in the last half of last year and my physio got me on an exercise bike and a cross trainer (elyptical) amongst other things. Touch wood my knee has improved immensely! And I do feel better for it. Just start slowly and gradually increase. My physio recommends doing it every 2nd day to give the joints and muscles some recovery time. It’s hard when you’re working and in pain to be motivated to exercise as well. Good luck and let us know how you go 🚴🏼♀️🧘♀️🏊♀️
I sympathise, all exercise hurts my joints but does seem to help. Gentle and often is best for me. Even just standing still and wriggling and stretching is good for the body. I used to be a gym addict 20 years ago doing back to back body pump and body combat classes and I miss it a lot but I’m nearly 60 and the RA dictates what I can do now, I’m considering Pilates .
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