Exercise Overview

The Arthritis Resource Guide strongly recommends that people living with arthritis should engage in some form of exercise in order to maintain their, flexibility, strength and cardiovascular fitness levels.

A properly designed exercise program can not only decrease your pain but also increase your flexibility, overall fitness and can do wonders for your mental well being.

Before embarking on any exercise program, every individual with arthritis should first check with their doctor. If you have physical limitations, you should also discuss them with the exercise instructor and inquire about his/ her certification. Examples of “certified” instructor are:

• BCRPA Certified
• YMCA Certification
• First Aid/ CPR certified (St. John’s)

If there is no certified instructor, explain to your instructor that your program may have to be modified to accommodate your needs.
There are two highly recommended group programs developed specifically for people with arthritis:

1. Water Works™ is a recreational, community-based program provided in many pools throughout BC
2. Joint Works™ is a land-based recreational program

These program classes are approximately 45 minutes to one hour in duration.

Click here for information about exercises.

Click here for a detailed description of the Top 10 Exercises.

Books, videos, references on exercises to help people with arthritis - can be found here.

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