Exercises for Seniors with Arthritis

Living with arthritis can be painful. Many seniors with the condition will even avoid exercising in the hope of preventing their pain from getting worse. However, this is one of the worst things to do! In fact, exercising is actually a vital component of relieving arthritic pain. It helps strengthen your muscles, can improve your flexibility and can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Beneficial Activities to Try Out

If you have arthritis, opt for workouts that build muscle without putting too much pressure on your joints. In fact, many of our communities host regular recreation programs as part of their regular amenities and services. These are a few great exercise options you can try out:

• Yoga
  Yoga helps to increase flexibility, build muscle and improve balance. In addition, because the movements can be modified to your abilities, almost anyone can do it.
  
  
• Swimming
  Water supports most of your weight as you exercise, allowing your joints to move with less pain. You can also consider taking a water aerobics class, or trying out water-jogging.

• Weightlifting
  Weightlifting is a great workout for seniors with arthritis because it helps to strengthen muscle, thereby taking pressure off your joints. It’s best to work with a professional to create a routine that works for you.

Before You Begin

Before beginning a new exercise routine, it’s important to consult your medical practitioner to ensure it’s right for you. Here are some other precautions to keep in mind:

• Always warm up. Start by getting your muscles warmed up and your joints ready to move by walking slowly or moving your limbs gently.

• Don’t push yourself too hard. While some discomfort is to be expected while exercising, you shouldn’t feel any pain. If a movement hurts, don’t do it.

• Aim for frequent but short sessions. Working out for long periods of time can be too hard for many people with arthritis. Instead, aim for 15- to 20-minute workouts three days a week.

• Stretch daily. While it’s best to limit strengthening exercises to just three days a week, stretching daily is a great way to keep your joints and muscles loose and pain free.

Senior living in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec

At Retirement Concepts, we offer a wide range of exercise opportunities to the seniors living in our homes, from fully-equipped fitness rooms to workout programs for people with and without mobility issues.  We encourage you to contact a community relations manager at a location near you to find out more about our offerings.