| "Exercise is any activity that increases your heart | | | | exercise and it can damage and tear muscles and |
| rate above normal!" | | | | tendon. |
| Exercise is essential to relieve and cure arthritis. | | | | The best form of exercise for arthritis sufferers |
| Most sufferers of arthritis do not exercise | | | | is walking. Do not underestimate the benefits of |
| because they fear exercise will aggravate their | | | | walking. Walking is gentle on the body and is |
| symptoms - this is far from the truth. Without | | | | suitable for most sufferers. Do wear comfortable |
| exercise muscles will gradually deteriorate and a | | | | shoes and warm clothing when you start. |
| vicious circle of even less exercise and even | | | | Strengthening Exercises |
| more arthritic pain occurs. | | | | Weight bearing and resistance exercises help |
| Exercise helps keeps muscles strong and joints | | | | strengthen muscles - strong muscles help reduce |
| supple. Stronger muscles are less prone to | | | | injuries and the pain of arthritis. |
| arthritis. | | | | Start with small weights or even use your body |
| To stop your muscles from deteriorating you | | | | weight as a form of resistance. Gradually increase |
| must exercise regularly. Start slowly and gradually | | | | the weight and repetitions to help strengthen your |
| increase it until you feel comfortable. Build up your | | | | muscles even more. |
| regime slowly and do not overdo any exercise | | | | Stretching Exercises |
| during the earlier stages. | | | | Stretching helps keep joints and muscle supple. |
| Types of exercises | | | | Supple muscles and joints are less prone to injury |
| Cardio Exercises | | | | and have a lower risk of developing arthritis. |
| Cardio exercise helps strengthen the heart and | | | | Be careful when stretching and do warm up |
| help control weight in your body. | | | | before you begin. Start off by gently stretching |
| When people think of exercising they | | | | the affected areas (all joints would benefit from |
| automatically think of jogging. The truth however, | | | | stretching but if you prefer you can begin by only |
| is that jogging is one of the most damaging of all | | | | stretching the affected joints). |