Sometimes exercise feels like the last thing you want to do when you have arthritis. But it is also one of the most effective and simplest strategies for managing arthritis.  

We all know that physical activity is good for us, but it can be tricky to know what might be best for arthritis.  

Some of the top concerns that we hear when it comes to exercise and arthritis are: 

• I am afraid exercise will make my pain worse or aggravate my condition.
• I don’t know what to do or how to get started.
• I lack the motivation to do it on my own.
• It is hard to get going when I am in pain.
• I don’t have the time.
• I don’t have the energy when I feel tired.
• I have tried before and didn’t stick with it.  

However, exercise has many benefits for physical and mental health. Some of these include promoting better sleep, lifting mood and well-being, improving strength and balance, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and maintaining a healthy brain. 

So, what’s the best way to get into exercise when you have arthritis? Or who can you go to for help? The key is knowing how to exercise safely and effectively – and that’s where an exercise physiologist can help. 

An exercise physiologist specialises in designing safe and effective exercise programmes tailored to individual needs, especially for those with long-term conditions such as arthritis. They understand how joints and muscles work and can create exercise plans that reduce pain while improving strength, flexibility, and endurance. 

How can an exercise physiologist help with arthritis? 

An Exercise Physiologist can:

Assess your movement and pain levels. They can determine what exercises will be joint-friendly and beneficial for you.
Develop a customised exercise plan. This could include low-impact activities like swimming, cycling, or resistance training to protect your joints, and exercises to improve balance, coordination, or flexibility.
Teach proper technique. Moving the wrong way can cause more harm than good. An Exercise Physiologist ensures you use the correct form.
Monitor progress and adjust exercises. As your strength and mobility improve, they can adapt your programme accordingly.
Provide education and motivation. They can help you understand your condition and stay on track with your exercise plan. 

If arthritis has made you hesitant to be physically active, or you’re unsure what type of exercise is best for arthritis, how it can help and how to get started, our next webinar is for you. Sasha Douglas, Exercise Physiologist, will join us to explore how exercise can be a powerful tool for managing arthritis. She will discuss how different types of movement – resistance training, mobility, aerobic exercise and balance – can benefit those living with arthritis.  

Whether you have arthritis yourself or are supporting someone who does, this webinar will offer practical advice and evidence-based insights on how exercise can help to reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall quality of life. With Sasha’s personal experience of living with rheumatoid arthritis, you’ll learn how to move better, feel better, and confidently incorporate exercise into daily life. 

Click here to see some of Sasha’s exercise videos.

Webinar: Moving with arthritis: Unlocking the power of exercise 

Date and time: Wednesday 16th April, 7pm 

Guest speaker: Sasha Douglas, Exercise Physiologist