Exercise for arthritis?

Yoga, Pilates,swimming and walking - sorted

I know that my mother bought a second-hand exercise bike and pedalled for miles every day. It really eased the pain in her knees.

I am creeking and groaning a bit at the moment but live in hope that it will settle. I keep as active as possible mostly walking, but rarely sit down until tired. Keep moving is my motto.

I think the main thing is to keep as mobile and flexible as possible without doing damage. How about going along to the local gym for an assessment with a personal trainer. I'm having one tomorrow as I have been bashing away at golf, walking, zumba gold and the gym but have now decided to get a professional opinion. It is going to cost £22 to get the assessment and a plan. the personal trainer I have booked with specialises in helping people with limited mobility and other areas such as cardiac and stroke rehab- local GPs refer people to her. i'll let you know how it goes.

Having had arthritis all my adult life, I'm not convinced any exercise is actually good for arthritis. It isn't bad for it though. I think that's what people really mean. I used to swim, cycle daily, dance (Scottish–v aerobic and good for ankles and knees), climb mountains and gallumph down them, but I have had to give them all up as they became too painful and would knock me up for days afterwards. So now it's down to the kind of gardening I do and just generally keeping moving as much as possible.

x posts, teetime. I'm saying the same as you.

Anything that improves muscle tone will help arthritic joints. Yoga, pilates, swimming and anything that doesn't put too much strain on the knees and hips.

I dread the winter months as well because keeping on the move is so much better than sitting around.

Everything merlotgran said. I've had multi-joint Osteo-Arthritis for over 20yrs now , one hip replaced so far but the swimming and walking I do often keeps my muscles toned and stronger so they can support the failing joints I even sit and squeeze a soft ball to help my wrist and finger muscles I was warned I'd need my thumb joints replaced 15 yrs ago but by keeping the muscles and joints moving I have managed without any surgery on my hands so far.
As the others have said keep moving is the best advice even if it feels like the wrong thing to do .

I've got a little cycle thing. You sit in a chair and pedal. I try to do it for 20 minutes.

It's a pedal exerciser and you get it from Amazon. It is about £20.

Then I walk every day. My pain is in the hip and shoots down the leg.....horrible.

Good luck with it. Easy to use while reading or watching TV. Drives husband mad if he's concentrating.

Doctor suggested Pilates but I can't get up from the floor without something to lean on. Imagine crawling round in a class to the nearest chair .

Most of the women in my Tai-chi group have arthritis and say that it really helps them to stay mobile. You do need an understanding teacher, ours always advises only doing what is comfortable for you, especially the rise and fall movements. She also allows sitting down if someone needs to. They tell me that it is the relaxation element and the movement that helps.

Tai Chi is gentle and makes sure I'm out of bed, out of the house and moving once a week. Also a great instructor, precise but patient and supportive, and a friendly group. One of the few free classes available locally too, part of a Falls Prevention programme.
LullyDully - I was delighted to find a Pranayama Yoga class after a 30 year lapse. Unsurprisingly I am now unable to do many of the postures but benefit from the breathing and stretches. At the end of the class I crawl to a chair to stand up ...
I tried Pilates at a fairly expensive place. 5 or 6 of us in a small room where we had to be careful not to actually touch when we stretched and, unfortunately, a stressed instructor. When I once got cramp and couldn't get up at the end of one class she seemed mainly concerned that I should remove myself before her next class arrived! Such a shame as I'm sure the actual Pilates was really helping my aches and pains. A friend in London goes to a free class in Silk Street which she finds very good. I still do some of the simpler exercises at home.
Must organise myself to swim, sure it would help!

I agree with everyone who says keep moving. I had a hip replacement 7 years ago and was told to keep exercising to prevent another one. Walking costs nothing and I try to do a mile or so every day. If I don't I notice that I start to 'seize up'. Swimming is also good though takes more organising and it costs! I'm not much of a one for groups though have done yoga and pilates which both help.

Today I cut a Leylandi hedge, up and down ladder and crouching to collect the cuttings. This seems to have helped my previously aching knee joints but I expect a very sore arm tomorrow as the electric hedge trimmer is heavy and awkward.

LullyDully I also cut my toenails tonight and had to roll over on the floor to get up, holding on to the couch. Just do what you have to do!

Your heavy duty gardening sounds impressive. Some days I can scarcely step onto a low stool to search the wardrobe shelves. Heavier items from the bottom shelves of the kitchen cupboards tend to hang around on work surfaces after use as my crouching is not of a high standard either!

So I went to the gym for the assessment and plan and the trainer (lovely girl called Rachel) went through everything with me, she was knowledgeable helpful and patient and wrote me out a plan and guess what Free of Charge - and to see her again in a few weeks. She also got me jogging on a machine and using the Power Plate- wish I had remembered to change into sports bra though.