Millions of Americans suffer from “achy joints” with causes ranging from arthritis, degeneration, injuries or just plain old age.
Exercise is a great way to help protect those achy joints and keep them as healthy as possible but what you do and how you do it are critically important to avoid flare-ups. Strengthening muscles around our joints will help decrease stress on the joint itself, which can reduce pain and stiffness.
Here are some general tips for clients with achy joints:
- Slow and Steady wins the race. Make sure you movements are smooth and not jerky. This will allow improved joint mechanics and prevent shearing forces that often happen with quick and uncontrolled movements.
- Lift weights that are light enough to perform 10-12 repetitions.
- Alternate between arm exercises and leg exercises to avoid overworking one body part or joint within your exercise routine. For example you can do bicep curls followed by lunges followed...