Need for exercise & RA | Arthritis Information
I notice in various topics that the need for exercise is mentioned quite often and people wonder what is best to do with RA. This is what I find works best for me. You might want to try it. About 2 years ago I started doing water aerobics in a heated pool, actually a program set up by the Arthritis Foundation and offered at a local health/sports club. I think it is offered at many other places as well. I go every Mon-Wed-Fri and the class lasts one hour. I know it's been very instrumental in maintaining some degree of flexibility and in strengthening my muscles. It is sooooooo much easier to exercise in warm water than on land. I find that with many of the exercises we do in the water, there would be no way I could even attempt them out of the water. The bouyancy makes all the difference in the world. I highly, highly recommend it. You don't even need to know how to swim and don't even need to get your hair wet. It does take some time but, for me, it is worth every minute because it helps my energy level, pain, and even mental outlook. My knees are so bad I can't walk long distances on land but I can keep moving in the water for the entire hour. Those three hours a week make all the rest of my time better!!! I mentioned it to my RD and he commented that a lot of people don't like going in the water and don't want to do it but, like I said, I find it's worth the minor inconvenience and it's soothing, too. Excellent Post indeed! and so helfull. I love water ans swimmig. I can see where it it would help! Thank You! Big hugs!Thanks Charlie Brown!!
I'm doing walking in the water... with water resistant shoes... (very cool -- they have gills to increase resistance) and I know that walking like that for awhile on land would be painful!!
The Arthritis Foundation has a DVD that gives you ideas as to what you can do..
I'm unable to take the AF course at my YMCA because it's only offered at 9 a.m and I am lucky to still be working... so I try to do things on my own..
Next week, I am going to try to start some TaiChi.. I've been reading about it.. It looks perfect. A book of Tai Chi for Seniors (though I am just barely a senior) will allow me to move the way I should in a modified manner..
But, water, I believe is the one thing that can truly help us.. keeping strain off our joints while we exercise our muscles!
Great thread!!
babs10-
Those water resistant shoes sound really interesting! I'm going to look into those!
I love to walk and have finally been able to get into it. I found some great walking shoes which have helped a lot. Sometimes I feel I could walk for hours- and I'm thankful for it!
Today I was in our pool with my youngest daughter who's 8, and it felt wonderful on the joints. I'm thinking about joining the YMCA this fall myself, to give me a place to swim and walk once the snow starts.
Gotta keep movin'!
I exercise at the gym at least 5 days a week. I do water as well as strength training and I walk every single day.
I think most, not all, people with RA underestimate how much they are capable of doing..But we gotta work smarter. We need to start a bit slower than others, we have to be impeccable with technique. we have to religiously stretch post exercise .
We also need to think outside the pool. I love the water I really do but it does not provide you with weightbearing exercise that we need to help protect our bone density. We don't get a well balanced strength training program as the buoyancy of the water does much of the lifting.
anaudlife....... I'll see if I can find a link to them.ok.. the shoes:
http://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Training-Shoes-EURO-49-5/dp/B000MELN1Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1218289042&sr=8-1
There aren't many sizes available... but perhaps the manufacuturer would have some.. and mens' shoe sizes are just women's 2 numbers higher...
also.. I ordered two pair a, 9 and a 10.. I wear a 9 1/2 .... they said a size down would fit me... nope.. the 10 fits great.. so I have a 9 to return to them... but if someone wants the 9... I'll sell to you.... otherwise I'm returning them on Monday for a refund on the 9's.
good points, buckeye.... I have small weights that I should start off with.. and my son has a full set in the basement... but when you feel like lifting your arms is more than you can muster, the thought of added weight is overwhelming.. I should try though.you could try resistance bands instead of weights...somehow the bands don't seems quite as intimidatig.
But i do understand about the fatigue part..but remember one of the reasons the fatigue gets overwhelming and simple tasks seem really hard is because our muscles have gotten weak. BUild up some muscl support and you will feel much better
I also go to water exercises as approved by arthritis foundation. If you are interested, go to the arthritis foundation page at http://www.arthritis.org and enter your zip code on the home page to find programs near you. They are usually very inexpensive and very worthwhile.I've been walking 3 x per week 30 mins each time but I feel so tired- I really forsce myselfBabs- I went to the link, there are none in my size!
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