This Arthritis Aquatics Class is More Than Just Exercise!

An arthritis aquatics class is great exercise for stiff and painful joints.  But if you happen to attend the class at Brook Park Recreation Center in Brook Park, Ohio, you most likely receive more than the benefit of exercise.  This group of students and their instructor have formed a bond has friends.  They meet three times a week for aquatics class and once a month for a luncheon.  Isn’t that great?

Most classes just meet for aquatics class.  The Brook Park Recreation Center class may have just stumbled onto something.  What would happen if all classes did this?  Just think…Would you be more likely to attend an arthritis aquatics class if you knew your fellow students and your instructor on a more personal level?  There would probably not be anymore excuses of “I hurt too much today to go to class” or “I don’t need to go to class today, I’ll just go to the next class.” 

Making this connection with other people that know what you are going through is a great incentive to get to class and is a great way to help cope with your arthritis by sharing your experiences with others.  We tend to feel better when we can talk to someone who understands what we are going through.  Becoming friends on top of that is a terrific bonus!

The Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation is so pleased with the class instructor, Shirley Klun, that they gave her an Outstanding Leadership Award.  Kudos to Klun for doing such a great job!

If this sounds like a good idea to you, try to implement it in your local area.  I bet other arthritics will be receptive to meeting periodically outside of class.  Good luck!

Image source: Sun News, Cleveland, Ohio

Try Tai Chi for Arthritis Exercise!

To keep those arthritic joints moving, you may want to try Tai Chi.  Dr. Paul Lam, a practicing physician and Tai Chi master for more than 30 years, has created a program for people with arthritis.  He began using Tai Chi himself to help him with his own arthritis.  Dr. Paul Lam now shares his knowledge of Tai Chi with those who have arthritis so they too can enjoy the benefits.

If you are a beginner to Tai Chi, then try the Tai Chi for Arthritis program - 12 Lessons with Dr. Paul Lam.  It consists of a 2-disc dvd set that is 4 hours in duration.  It provides Tai Chi priniciples and instruction.  The program is easy on the joints and you will feel like you are in his class.

Here is a sample clip of the program:

 

If you have taken the Tai Chi for Arthritis – 12 Lessons with Dr. Paul Lam program and would like more of a challenge, then you may want to try Tai Chi for Arthritis Part II – 6 Lessons with Dr. Paul Lam.  It is a 2-hour sequel that provides 9 new movements.

Here is a sample clip of the program:

If you have difficulty standing, then you may want to try Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis -  6 Lessons with Dr. Paul Lam.  It is a modified form of Tai Chi for Arthritis, but the program is designed to be performed while sitting.  It is 85 minutes in duration.

Here is a sample clip of the program:

There you have it.  There are three options to choose from to help you exercise those arthritic joints with Tai Chi. 

Good luck!

Rubber Fitness Ball Users Beware!

If you manage your arthritis by exercising with a fitness ball, please use caution.  On April 16, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of rubber fitness balls due to a “fall hazard”.

The brands affected are Bally Total Fitness, Everlast, Valeo and Body Fit Fitness Balls.  The recall applies to the 55, 65 and 75 cm in diameter rubber balls. 

The hazard is associated with the fitness balls being over inflated.  If the ball is over inflated, it may burst causing the user to fall and possibly sustain injury.

Valeo has already released the revised inflation instructions for their fitness ball.  If you have one of the other affected fitness balls, please contact the manufacturer, EB Brands for updated inflation instructions.

If Nothing Else, Try Exercising in Water

If you struggle with exercising because of stiff and painful joints, you are not alone.  Many people with arthritis know they need to exercise, but doing it is another story.

Some exercise programs are too intense and full of high impact movements.  Even though the exercise would be beneficial, using one of those programs may just be harmful to your joints.  So what is an arthritic to do?

Try a water exercise program instead!  Exercising in a pool allows you to be weightless and, if done properly, does not cause any impact on your joints.  Check out this news video about a water exercise program in California.

Please note that in the second part of the news video (below), they do show someone jumping up and down in the shallow end of the pool.  I would not recommend doing an exercise like that if you have arthritis in your feet or ankles.

To find water exercise programs in your area, contact your local Arthritis Foundation chapter, fitness gyms or rehabilitation centers.

Good luck!

Exercise Those Arthritic Joints for Free!

When you have arthritis, it is important to keep moving those stiff joints.  One way to do that is through regular exercise.  Usually, a non-impact form of exercise is best.

 However, exercise videos can cost $15-$20 each and gym memberships can cost a lot more.  What if those costs are just not in your budget right now?  Well, here is an answer to that.

ExerciseTVoffers FREE full-length videos and mini-workouts.  They have videos for stretching, yoga, pilates and many other forms of exercise.  However, if you are looking for exercise that will not impact the joints, I would recommend sticking with stretching, yoga and pilates.

Check out the FREE videos on ExerciseTV.  You do not need to register in order to watch them.  Just select the video you are interested in and get ready to exercise.  It’s that simple!

If you decide you like the full-length video, then keep going back to the site on a regular basis to watch it or download it instead.  If you prefer to download it, there is a small charge.  The video I watched was $1.99 to purchase the download.  That is by far a much more reasonable price to work into your budget.

I do not believe that you can download the mini-workouts.  You may just have to keep going back to ExerciseTV to watch those.  Either way, it’s still FREE!

Enjoy!

When Was The Last Time You Played Golf?

Did you stop playing golf because of your arthritis?  Did you stop playing for other reasons and now your arthritis is worse than it was before?  We all have our different reasons or situations, but as arthritics, it is important to keep moving.  So, why not try going back to the sport you enjoyed?

Golfing is a great form of exercise.  You walk, swing, bend, strategize, etc.  Plus, you get to enjoy being outdoors while having a great time with your fellow golfers.  However, before you run out to the golf course, you need a game plan. 

The Arthritis Foundation has these suggestions:

• Always loosen up before you play. Begin by walking for a few minutes. Spend five to 10 minutes stretching, then take 10 to 15 swings on the practice range before the first tee. Easy practice swings, trunk twists, hamstring (rear thighs) stretches and walking are good warm-up exercises. Start out by hitting higher lofted clubs (like a pitching wedge) and begin by swinging 50 percent to 75 percent.
• Use tees whenever you hit the ball – even on the practice range – to avoid striking the ground and jarring your joints.
• Keep your tension on the shaft consistent. Be careful not to let your arms and trunk become too rigid.
• If you have back pain, you may find that the “classic” swing is more comfortable for you than the modern or reverse-C swing.
• Always brush through the grass so you will hit the ball solidly and carry your momentum out to the target.
• Play from the 150-yard markers if you begin to get tired.
• Consider using energy-saving techniques while you’re on the course. Take only the clubs you use most frequently. Pull your golf bag instead of carrying it, or rent a motorized cart instead of walking.

Golfing is a great sport, even for arthritics, if we take the proper precautions to minimize the effect on our joints. 

Check back tomorrow to see if you have the right equipment!