Exercise

[Cabie]

Is it OK to exercise with arthritis , I really want to join a local beginners running group bur not sure.

[medway-lady]

If you can do it then go for it. It can't do harm to just try can it?

[Amnesiac3637]

I suspect you’ll soon find out if you can’t run but exercise of any sort better than none. Swimming great, walking good if running proves too difficult. Best of luck and keep going!

[Rosie-NRAS Partner NRAS]

Hi Cabie, Our JoinTogether group 'exercise and back to sports' may be of interest to you. The group meets online via Zoom and provides group members the chance to share experiences, as well as hints and tips about exercise and RA. It is free to join. I have included the link from our website that provides further details. The next group meets at 7.30pm on the 19th September.

nras.org.uk/event/jointoget...

Kind regards, Rosie @ NRAS

[Cabie in reply to Rosie-NRAS]

Thank you.

[Boxerlady]

When I asked the physio attached to my Rheumatology department whether it was ok to do AquaFit when I was first diagnosed in 2019, she said to try it and if muscles hurt the next day it was ok but if joints hurt, it wasn't. I've been going ever since (apart from during the COVID lockdowns) and so far, so good 😊

[Cabie]

I guess really I just need to see how I feel after doing it. Thanks

[Cat-E]

Running isn't particularly good for your joints and a lot of my runner friends have buggered knees without the RA so I would go carefully and make sure you get fitted for some really good footwear. If not, as others have said, walking and swimming are good and I have also recently started kettlebells again....can't squat very well but most of the other stuff is OK 😀

[Cabie]

Thanks , appreciate your information. I may just stick to walking.

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Hi as above reply Do be carefull

It also depends on your pain or if still getting pain etc and where about ,

Running does go up a level ,

Good starting point ,you may have done so not sure

Slow walks ,then increased walks as time goes by ,before considering running ,

Low level circuit for people with issiues as well for starting point ,and as mentioned swimming , Been on a few of them and also helped with admin there ,

Pacing important as well ,

And don't go through the pain barriers as well ,

You should have an idea wot level your at

I'd also speak to gp as well maybe for their advice ,

[Soundofmusic52]

just listen to your body it will tell you on that day if you have bags of energy or none you learn to understand your body . I walk for miles most days then some days I read you just learn to live with it . I’m good now all my meds are in tune good luck

[StormySeas]

In my experience exercise - assuming it doesn’t hurt at the time, or cause pain afterwards - is only good.

I think that keeping as active as we can, whilst respecting the limits of what we can and cannot do, helps body and mind.

Sometimes it’s hard working out what’s OK. When I’m in a good place I can easily get carried away with enthusiasm only to find I’ve done too much and I’m wiped out the next day. Conversely, I started out getting back into exercise by doing a Versus Arthritis Seated Tai Me class which is specifically designed for people in pain and unable to move much. It taught me that movement - as much or as little as you can do - is always good.

So don’t be scared by getting active. You’ll find your limits and learn to stay in the zone that feel safe. In my experience, however rubbish I feel, movement - however small, always cheers me up X

[Louise0000]

I go to the gym three times a week and the days I am at the gym are my best days. The days I don't attend I suffer terribly so my answer is exercise is the best way forward for arthritis