Exercise Information

Arthritis Exercise - One Way to Relieve Pain & Stiffness in Your Joints (part 3)


There are three main types of exercises to include in a basic exercise program:

  • Range-of-motion exercises - These lessen stiffness and help with improving flexibility. "Range of motion" refers to the area within which the joints move naturally or on a daily basis. Although these range-of-motion exercises can be performed every day, it is recommended that they be done at least every other day.
  • Strengthening exercises - There are two types of strengthening exercises; isometric or tightening the muscles without moving the joints, and isotonic, moving of the joints for strengthening muscle movements. It is recommended to do these sets of exercises every other day, unless you are suffering from more than mild joint pain or swelling.
  • Endurance exercises - The objective of these is to increase stamina. They also help with improving your inner personal / mental strength and with improving weight control and sleep. Some of the most popular endurance exercises are stationary bike riding, walking and water exercising. And unless you are suffering from more than mild joint pain or swelling, a 20- to 30-minute workout or two to three short 10-minute bouts during the day is what is recommended, an average of three times each week. Be kind to your body, and it will be kind to you.

Let's sum up exercise with a few tips for all:

  • Establish your own unique, exercise program so that it meets you personal health needs, budget and environment. Make sure it is safe by checking with your own professional healthcare advisor and workout trainer. And take it slow and steady like Aesop's turtle in the race.
  • Be kind to yourself. Stop if something hurts. And experiment with applying heat before exercising and warming up. Then cool off afterwards with cold packs.
  • Enjoy exercising by making it a real part of your life during the week. Include range-of-motion, strengthening and endurance exercises in your routines. And vary your activities; try a new class at a health club one quarter. Next time, go elsewhere or join a naturalist group for weekly hikes in local parks. Keep an active folder with pockets of gyms and health clubs near you with their schedules and up-dated classes and coupon specials. And check newspapers, local bulletin boards, postings at the gyms and clubs, etc. for healthy activities like walk-a-thons and bike-a-thons for nonprofits and evening / weekend hikes in which you can participate. You'll meet new friends, have fun, get out more and exercise all at the same time.

Exercise activities are available all around you, too. No need to spend time and money elsewhere. You can borrow exercise videos, cassettes, DVDs and books from public libraries. You can get active by washing windows, cleaning your house, car, pet, children's closets, your closets, anything?You can even earn money doing activities like walking and distributing flyers, local newspapers and coupons (check with companies who place these in and around your mailbox and door - they often need help).

Written by Shelley Hitz, Licensed Physical Therapist and Certified NASM Personal Trainer. If you have arthritis, she can design an online exercise program for you! Contact her today at http://www.onlinefitnesscoach.com or sign up for her FREE Exercise Advice Journal at http://www.abs-exercise-advice.com/journal.html.


MORE RESOURCES:

Boston Globe

In Hull and elsewhere, early morning exercise good for kids on the rise
Boston Globe
That's because the youngsters coming from the school's early-morning exercise class seem better able to stay in their seats for the rest of the day. “We only have anecdotal evidence, but it does seem like students who participate are more focused for ...

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Powering down nuclear exercises
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AP Without fanfare, the nation's nuclear power regulators have overhauled community emergency planning for the first time inmore than three decades, requiring fewer exercises for major accidents and recommending that fewer people be evacuated right ...

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Zee News

Exercising `may cut asthma attacks risk`
Zee News
Washington: Not only is it safe for asthmatics to exercise, but doing so could reduce their risk of asthma symptoms or attacks, a new study has revealed. Many people with asthma report avoiding exercise because they`re afraid it could trigger symptoms ...
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Exercise for good health can turn injurious without guidance
Daily Pioneer
When I started exercising the very first time in my life I was about 19 years old. I neither had the experience nor I had the proper training and because of that I have experienced some diverse effects on my body. Due to improper and unguided physical ...



Dr. Mao's Wellness Living: Exercising Tips For Increasing Longevity
Santa Monica Mirror
Staying active and exercising regularly are the foundations for living a long and healthy life. It is no surprise that caged animals have more health problems and a shorter life span than free-range animals. Humans are no different!



Fitness: Combining history, exercise
Richmond Times Dispatch
My daughter likes exercise that has a social aspect to it, so she brought a friend. And I just wanted to experience the annual history walk that I'd heard so much about over the last few years. Our foursome was among about 1700 people who turned out ...

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Statewide Full-Scale Hurricane Exercise Concludes
Coosa Valley News
Georgia's statewide hurricane exercise, concluded on Thursday, May 17. In this three-day exercise, more than 800 personnel from local, state, volunteer and federal agencies coordinated the simulated response to a Category 3 hurricane that made landfall ...



CBC.ca

Hawks exercise head coach Drew's option
Fox News
Atlanta, GA – The Atlanta Hawks have exercised head coach Larry Drew's contract option for the 2012-13 season. Drew led the Hawks to a 40-26 record this season, but the club lost to Boston in the first round of the playoffs. The 54-year-old Drew has ...
Hawks exercise option on head coach Larry DrewCBC.ca
Atlanta Hawks exercise option to keep Larry Drew as coachColumbus Ledger-Enquirer
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Fitness: Exercise apps for your smartphone
Los Angeles Times
Whether you're a couch potato looking to start an exercise routine or a veteran runner looking to cross-train, there's an app for that. There are a lot of yoga apps out there, but few are as sophisticated as this new release. Unlike some of its rivals ...



Voice of America (blog)

Exercise Offsets Muscle Breakdown in Heart Patients
Voice of America (blog)
We all know physical activity is good for us, and now new research suggests regular exercise can also help the aging and those suffering from heart failure. In fact, researchers say, maintaining a regular physical workout can offset the breakdown of ...


Google News

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