Considering Joining a Gym | Arthritis Information

 

This is huge..... I can't believe I am actually contemplating this....

I've been asking myself the same question and [at least in my neighborhood] there are no trainers with knowledge of physical limitations [as they pertain to disease]. My PT pointed me in the right direction exercise wise.  My accident and having RA precluded me from running anymore, so the PT's gave me great advice concerning what kind of work out I could do. The gym my husband and I go to is affiliated with one of the local hospitals.  Many of the personal trainers also work with the various rehabilitation programs through the hospital and can help anyone from a competitive athlete to a cardiac rehab patient or RA patient.  See if your rheumatologist has any recommendations. thanks!  I am not necessarily looking for someone with a knowledge of RA itself.. but someone who would be kind to bad joints and poor muscle tone.... My personal trainers were specialists in rehab.   A good gym will give you at least a free week to try out the facilities.  That would give you a chance to interview the various trainers associated with the gym and see where their training lies.  Be very careful of anyone who claims to be a mster of all areas of training.  check their certifications and ask very specific questions based on your knowledge of your physical issues.Babs....there are trainers like that.   I used to have one.  Call your gym and tell them what you're looking for, they might be able to point you in the right direction.  Or you could look up the websites of the various accreditations.  They might have listings of trainers with various specialties.You might start out walking for a couple of weeks and then add 1lb weights to your walk. I'm not one for going to the gym because to me, it seems everyone else lives there and is in such good shape. I feel like a dork!  However, it would be nice to have that person there rooting you on telling you the right moves and keeping you from hurting yourself. I think checking with your RD or calling the area gyms would definitely be a good start. Ooh, do you have a YMCA in your area? Or a local recreation department? Back in CO, the first town we lived in actually had an arthritis exercise class the rec offered weekly. I never went because I would have been the youngest person there and most of the older folks moved better than me. (Maybe I should have swallowed my pride!) Babs, I never really thought of getting a gym membership, I just figured it would work out for me.  But I tell you, going to Cardiac rehab has been great and has kept me interested in exercising, not only because of my heart, but because using four different machines and light weights has been fun.  I get in there and yack away when there is someone to yack with or watch TV and the next thing I know, its time for a rotation.  I guess this is the way curves works too.  On my off days, I walk with DH or ride my recumbent bike.  It has worked well for me.  The info the rehab nurse has given me was more about my heart than my RA, but the rule "Don't do it if it hurts"  works pretty well. 

You go, girl!  Congrats on the positive lifestyle changes you have already made! [QUOTE=waddie]Babs, I never really thought of getting a gym membership, I just figured it wouldn't work out for me.  But I tell you, going to Cardiac rehab has been great and has kept me interested in exercising, not only because of my heart, but because using four different machines and light weights has been fun.  I get in there and yack away when there is someone to yack with or watch TV and the next thing I know, its time for a rotation.  I guess this is the way curves works too.  On my off days, I walk with DH or ride my recumbent bike.  It has worked well for me.  The info the rehab nurse has given me was more about my heart than my RA, but the rule "Don't do it if it hurts"  works pretty well. 

You go, girl!  Congrats on the positive lifestyle changes you have already made! [/QUOTE] Babs, Babs, this is great news and I'm so proud of you for smoking cessation; that's one of the hardest things to accomplish.  I've used a trainer affliated with the base gym.  They understood my limitations and worked with me on gentle exercise and I also use the pool.  I exercise at the senior center with a resistance exercise program.  At this point in my life I don't expect to lose 60 lbs but I do expect to lose SOME and build my stamina instead of building muscles. At my age my exercise needs are different than when I was 30 y.o. or even 50 y.o.  Lindy [QUOTE=buckeye] Be very careful of anyone who claims to be a mster of all areas of training.  check their certifications and ask very specific questions based on your knowledge of your physical issues.[/QUOTE]

I didn't mean to imply that all the trainers at our gym were experts in everything - just that the team as a whole can handle just about any exercise/rehab need.I have undertaken this project myself. I started with an arthritis water class, eventually moved up to a more aerobic program -- and now that my knees are completely worn out, have gone back to the arthritis class. But I'm a swimmer. I started swimming and was lucky to get five strokes in, but kept at it and now am doing laps (and laps and laps). Notice I've chosen all exercise related to water -- as it's easier on the joints.

I also joined weight watchers in February and have lost an amazing amount of weight. 72 pounds to date. Am I feeling better? You bet I am!Good for you Babs!  You've been given a lot of good advice, but when you are gym shopping I'd also recommend speaking with the person who wants to sign you up about your condition and asking about their cancellation policies.  Some gyms can give you a hard time if you decide it's not the place for you and want to cancel. thank you all so much for this encouragement.. and Island Woman YOu are an inspiration!! Thank-you so much -- I'm really pleased with the weight loss and getting in better shape (both in appearance and physically). While I still have 15 to 20 more pounds to go, I've already accomplished a lot -- and have gone from a size 22 women's to a size 12. Not too much more and I'll be a size 10. I like weight watchers because I don't feel that I'm on a "diet" -- I've just changed my way of eating. This time it's going to be a lifetime commitment as the women on my dad's side of the family (and I'm really one of them -- sure don't take after my svelte mom who could eat like a truck driver and not gain) run to fat very easily. Good luck to all who try undertaking a program.Babs,
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