Gear Up!
Originally published in Arthritis Today

By Suzette Hill

Does your laundry spend more time on your treadmill than you do? If boredom is the problem, grab your gym bag and get ready to fill it with portable, affordable fitness gear and gadgets that offer endless variety at home and in the gym.

Don't have time to go to the gym? No space in your home for exercise equipment? Tired of your routine? Just plain tired? You're not alone.

The hardest part of a fitness program is sticking with it over the long haul. Boredom and burnout pose a constant threat: No matter how great you feel afterward, it's hard to get motivated as you face the hundredth viewing of the same workout video or that one-millionth walk around the block. Gyms offer variety and camaraderie, but not everyone has the time, the budget or access to one.

Valid as they may seem, don't use these excuses to drop the exercise ball. Exercise adds variety to your life; plus, it's great for your arthritis. Regular, moderate exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness, increases flexibility and builds muscle strength and endurance. It also helps stave off other health problems, such as osteoporosis and heart disease. You'll probably love it best, though, for the sense of energy and well-being you'll gain. 

Make your workout an anticipated part of your day. To help, we've pulled together a gym bag full of portable, affordable gear sure to re-energize your exercise program. You certainly don't need any of the gear and gadgets discussed below to improve your health and fitness - but they do offer ways to take your fitness level up a notch or simply make it fun again.

"Variety is the key to sticking with fitness," says Mike May, executive director of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA). "You can fill your life with different types of activities without cluttering it with all sorts of [machines or contraptions]." 

But before you fill your shopping cart, get the OK for any fitness program from your doctor. Then work closely with a physical therapist or fitness expert who understands arthritis to custom-tailor a fitness program that will satisfy both your need for safety and precaution and your goal of fitness and fun. 

If you're affected moderately to severely, pay extra attention to how your joints feel before, during and after exercise.