People who suffer from arthritis need to exercise regularly because lack of exercise damages joints (Arthritis Care & Research, January 2011). Even people with severe joint disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, need to exercise. However, more than half of women and 40 percent of men with arthritis get virtually no exercise whatever. Researchers asked more than 1000 people with proven osteoarthritis of their knees to wear a pedometer. Only one in seven men and one in 12 women moved their knees for 20 minutes or more per day. Lack of movement is deleterious to arthritics' health because the most effective way to prevent joint destruction from arthritis is to keep the joints moving.

People with arthritis typically have stiffness and pain when they wake up in the morning. They hurt most after being inactive and feel better after they move around for a while. Exercise warms up muscles and joints to help relieve some of the joint and muscle pain and stiffness. A regular exercise program can help delay and prevent disability in people with arthritis by strengthening muscles that can help to control excessive range of motion that can damage joints. It also allows people with arthritis to keep on moving. Arthritics should participate in at least a half hour each day of moderate-intensity, low-impact activity. Of course, all people with joint pain should first check with their doctors for their proper diagnosis and treatment.

Rules for exercise for arthritics: *If joint pain worsens when you start to exercise, check with your doctor to see if you have loose or broken cartilage that can cause further joint damage.
*If you already have joint damage, the safest exercises are usually walking and water exercises.
*Try to exercise with a group. When you miss a workout, you will have to explain to your friends why you weren't there.