When it comes to exercise, sufferers of arthritis often find themselves in a dilemma. They’ve been told that exercise is a good way to relieve the symptoms of their condition, but they’re also told that many of the most common exercises create such an impact on the body that they can exacerbate the symptoms of their condition. It’s true that loadbearing, high impact workouts can complicate conditions affecting the joints. This is where exercising in water can come in very handy. Is pool exercise good for arthritis? By performing some of the following exercises, arthritis sufferers can gain relief without worrying about making their condition worse.
Water Walking
Water walking is a great way for sufferers of arthritis to ease themselves into the routine of exercise. An easy, simple and enjoyable exercise, this is a good place to start for those who are just getting into increasing their physical activity levels. The buoyancy provided by the water relieves much of the weight loaded onto the body’s joints while providing a safe cushion against falling. Water-resistance also makes the muscles work harder and burn more calories compared with walking on dry land. For those who require a zero-impact exercise, water walking in deep water with the aid of flotation devices relieves the joints of almost any stress.
Water Jogging
If water walking isn’t an intense enough workout, or once you feel you’re ready to graduate to the next level, it’s easy to kick things up a notch by moving on to water jogging. Just as with water walking, the buoyancy provided by the water reduces impact, aids in balance and lightens the load on the bones and joints. Water jogging can also be done in shallow or deep water to varying the amount of impact received by the body.
Water Aerobics
Water aerobics is a good way to get a cardiovascular workout without the effects of the impact experienced on dry land. The type of workout experienced in water aerobics can range from easy stretching to intense, heart rate raising activity and resistance training. Water aerobic workouts can also incorporate weights, flutter boards and other equipment to add variety and intensity.
Swimming
Swimming is the ultimate zero-impact workout. Water buoyancy means that as much as 90% of the body’s weight is supported which can provide great relief to sufferers of arthritis or bone and joint pain. Swimming can be utilized to work several different groups of muscles while raising the heart and breathing rates. Swimming is also great for increasing range of motion, loosening tension in the joints and stretching out tight muscles.