An estimated 22 percent of adults in the US have been told they have a form of arthritis. Considering that arthritis is just one of many conditions that can cause joint pain, it’s important to understand how to ease pain in the joints. Surprisingly, exercise is one of the best general health tips for this condition!
Why Exercise is Good for Your General Health AND Joint Pain
It may seem counterintuitive to exercise when you’re sore and stiff. However, exercise is actually a great form of pain relief. Exercise causes the body to release endorphins, which can help reduce stiffness.
The motion of exercising can help alleviate that stiff sensation from of the joints as well as increase flexibility. Stronger joints are also less likely to be rigid and sore. Since joint pain can be compounded by exercise that is too intense, it’s simply important to choose workouts that are friendly to your joints.
Best Cardio Workouts for Joint Stiffness
Low-impact cardio exercises are smart choices for stretching and strengthening your aching joints. We recommend:
- Stationary bike
- Elliptical Machine
- Walking on the treadmill
- Rowing
- Swimming
Many different stretching routines also count as light cardio and help with joint pain caused by arthritis, old injuries, aging, and more.
Group Workouts That Can Help
We offer a wide range of group exercise classes at Texas Family Fitness. Classes allow you to complete workouts with guidance and with the added fun of socializing. Some of our classes are good for anyone with joint stiffness. Others are even specifically designed for the Silver Sneakers crowd.
Popular low impact classes include:
- Cycle
- Yoga
- Barre
Make sure to check our class schedules for your favorite group fitness class availability!
Best Tips for Exercising to Relieve Joint Pain
To be sure that your workout helps your joints instead of increasing your pain or stiffness, it’s important to follow these tips:
- Always warm up thoroughly before your workout
- Use a foam roller to stretch after exercising
- Stop if you find your pain increasing
- Rely on props like chairs or bars to ease intensity
- Shift your weight so your range of motion is shorter
Ready to find relief from your joint pain through exercise? Try our FREE 30-Day VIP Pass to find the workout equipment or classes that can help you hit your goals!