Many people suffer from joint issues, whether from a previous injury or part of the natural ageing process. However, having joint issues doesn’t mean you can’t participate in sports or exercise to stay fit and healthy. In fact, staying fit and healthy can help support your joints and stop further damage. There are certain exercises that are better for those with joint problems. In this article, we look at sports and exercises that are suitable for people with joint problems.
Swimming
Swimming is a great way to stay fit and healthy, and because of the water supporting your body, it's considered a low-impact sport. This makes it ideal for people that suffer from joint issues. When you’re swimming, you don’t put extra weight on your joints, and the water helps to take some of the pressure, helping you swim further. Swimming can be a great way to work out your whole body and gain muscle in all areas of your body. There are many swimming pools in the UK you can visit for a small fee; some may even offer exercise classes that guide you through different workouts within the pool. These can be good if you’re looking for a more structured session or want to make new friends.
Yoga
Yoga is another low-impact exercise that’s great for people with joint issues. Most yoga poses can be adapted to suit the needs of the individual to ensure they don’t cause damage to their joints. Yoga is great for increasing flexibility and core strength, which can help support poor joints and prevent further injuries in those with joint problems. Contact your local yoga studio and ask about what they offer and if it would suit your specific joint issues. You may even make new friends with other people with similar joint problems at the yoga class. For many people, yoga can help to support their joints, improve their fitness and help them with their mental clarity.
Rowing
Rowing is a sport that can be done on water, in the gym, or at home on your own rowing machine. It’s also a great sport if you suffer from joint issues. The movement of rowing is very fluid, which will help to protect your joints when you’re participating in the activity. Rowing is a full-body workout that can be as intense as endurance events, so you’ll need to make sure you have water and an energy sport bar on hand to keep up your energy levels. You can burn many calories when rowing, making it a great sport for those who want to lose weight and minimise how long they need to work out. Stretching before and after rowing will help prepare your joints for the activity and reduce the risk of injury.
Cross-training
The cross trainer machine at the gym is a good piece of equipment to use if you suffer from joint problems. It offers a much gentler alternative to jogging or running on the treadmill. The impact is much less on your joints as the machine and your arms support your legs during this activity. Regular cross-training can help improve your fitness and build muscle strength in your legs and arms. Having muscles around joints with issues can add support and help reduce the risk of injury. If you don’t go to a gym and want to train at home, you can buy your own cross-training machine. Here are some more reasons to use a cross-trainer.
Walking
Finally, walking is a form of exercise that many people with joint issues still enjoy. Regular walking has many health benefits, and it's considered a low-intensity exercise. If you want to start walking for fitness and you have joint issues, make sure you invest in a good pair of shoes that will help to support your feet. In addition, start off with a short walk and build up to longer routes.
Each of these sports and exercises has different benefits for your mind and body, but each has one thing in common, they’re suitable for people that suffer from joint issues. Get out there and try something new; it might help your joints and improve your quality of life.
