Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Exercise With Arthritis

Arthritis is not a disease that is limited to the elderly. Unfortunately, it’s becoming more and more common among the very young. But don’t fall for the myth that you shouldn’t exercise if you suffer from arthritis – it’s quite the contrary.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) has 10 reasons why you should exercise if you have arthritis:

1. Flexibility training helps improve your range of motion and reduces stiffness in joints. Just think of how stiff you are in the morning.
   
2. Walking and other low-impact cardio activities help improve your overall fitness and ease the psychological and emotional pain often tied to arthritis.
   
3. Exercise makes your muscles stronger and helps with mobility, allowing you to accomplish daily tasks with greater ease. The easier it is to move around, the more likely you are to be active.
   
4. Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, increases bone mass, which helps reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis over time.
   
5. Arthritis often negatively affects balance, posture, and coordination, while fitness drastically helps to improve all three areas.
   
6. Excess weight puts a lot of unnecessary stress on your joints, making the symptoms of arthritis even more grueling. A sensible diet and a regular workout regimen are key to taking the extra load off of your joints.
   
7. Exercise reduces stress, which often worsens the symptoms of arthritis.
   
8. Because arthritis is a degenerative condition, people who have if often feel down in the dumps. Fitness helps people look at life in a more positive light.
   
9. Achy joints make sleeping difficult, if not impossible. Regular exercise helps induce deep sleep.
10. Arthritis often leads to a sedentary lifestyle, which is linked to heart disease and diabetes. Regular fitness drastically reduces your chances of both conditions.
    
    

~Exercise Your Passion For Life!