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  • About Arthritis
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    woman holding her wristWhat Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbesInflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

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    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

    • Understanding Arthritis
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    Woman holding shoulderWebinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management

    Learn the evidence behind popular touch therapies for arthritis, including what to try and what to avoid, for how long and when.

    Managing Arthritis Care Costs

    Learn the basics about health care costs and financial tools available to you.

    Man with head in hands on bedWebinar: Arthritis Fatigue Causes and Solutions

    Learn the various causes of arthritis-related fatigue and strategies to combat weariness.

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    Woman with upset stomachMicrobiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

    man exercisingStairs Workout Demo

    Strengthen your leg muscles and improve your stability to make going up and down stairs safer and easier.

    woman consoling anotherArthritis and Mental Health

    Learn about the connection between arthritis, depression and anxiety and how these conditions can make your arthritis worse.

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    2023 JA Family Summit

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    Transforming Clinical Interactions

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    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

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    Share your experience in a 10-minute assessment to be among those changing the future of arthritis.

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14 Ways to Work Out With Arthritis 

Get help finding your preferred joint-friendly exercise for arthritis to help get you moving, relieve pain and make joints more flexible. 

When your joints hurt, you’re probably not eager to exercise – even though you’ve heard time and time again that you should. Not only does exercise keep joints strong and flexible, it also promises pain relief for a host of conditions, including osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fibromyalgia. It also keeps pain from starting, helps you shed pounds and reduces stress. 

If you haven’t felt inspired to start an exercise routine, you may not have found the activity that suits you. We went to experts for the low-down on low-impact, joint-friendly and, dare we say it, fun ways to shape up. (Shuffleboard, anyone?) Whether you’re an exercise newbie, or just want to spice up your fitness menu, you’re sure to find an activity that gets you excited to move. 

1. Water Walking
Why It’s Good: Walking in waist-deep water lessens weight on joints by 50% compared with walking on land, explains physical therapist Davis Reyes, assistant manager of the Joint Mobility Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. 

Do It Safely: Take a class with an instructor who can teach you proper form. 

Cautions (for all water exercises): “Patients feel really good in the water, so it’s possible to over-exercise, become fatigued and aggravate joints,” says Reyes. Water exercise is often recommended for people who’ve had a joint replacement, but wait until the incision has healed. 
 
2. Water Aerobics
Why It’s Good: Water aerobics, which involves your upper and lower body and mid-section, is usually done in chest-deep water, lessening impact on your joints by 75% compared with traditional aerobics, Reyes says. 

Do It Safely: Warm up for five to 10 minutes with easy walking and arm movements — basically mimicking what you’ll be doing — to loosen joints and relax muscles. 
3. Swimming
Why It’s Good: Swimming works all of your muscle groups and builds cardiovascular endurance. 

Do It Safely: Learn to swim properly to minimize your injury risk, and choose a stroke that is most comfortable for your joints. For example, your legs are relatively straight in freestyle, making it a good choice for someone with hip or knee arthritis – unlike the breaststroke, which could aggravate pain in these joints. 
4. Bocce Ball
Why It’s Good: Social activities that get you moving take your mind off your pain while you burn calories and get stronger. Bocce is done in a relatively upright position so bending and lunging are at a minimum, says Reyes. 

Do It Safely: Don’t bend your knee or extend your arm beyond a comfortable range of motion. 

Cautions: Holding and tossing the bocce ball might aggravate hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder arthritis. 
5. Golf
Why It’s Good: It works your upper back, legs, shoulders, wrists and hands. Additionally, if you don’t rely on a motorized cart, you’ll do lots of joint- and heart-healthy walking. 

Do It Safely: Wear walking sneakers or golf shoes with soft spikes — unlike metal spikes, they won’t grab the grass and trip you, says exercise physiologist Robyn Stuhr, sports medicine program director at the University of California San Diego Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Use clubs with a lightweight, graphite shaft and a perimeter-weighted head for better shock absorption and pull them in a wheeled cart. 

To warm up, stand in place and gently rotate your body to the right and left as you pretend to swing a club, says Stuhr. Try a few gentle swings with a light iron and then do the same with your heavier driver. 

Cautions: Sometimes you have to scale back in order to enjoy the game long term. If you hurt after a few holes, take a break or stop playing for the day, says Stuhr. 
6. Shuffleboard
Why It’s Good: In “deck” or outdoor shuffleboard, you use your legs to push forward and your arms to push the cue and weighted puck. 

Do It Safely: Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes. Don’t overdo it and don't push yourself beyond a comfortable range of motion. 

Cautions: This could aggravate shoulder or elbow arthritis if you push the puck too hard, and knee arthritis if you lunge too deeply.   
7. Treadmill Walking
Why It’s Good: The treadmill enables you to go easy (and hold handlebars for support), pick up the pace or “climb” simulated hills, so you can vary your workout according to how you feel. 

Do It Safely: Start slowly, 10 to 15 minutes at a time three or more days per week for a week or two, increasing duration by five to 10 minutes per week, advises Reyes. When you can comfortably walk 30 minutes on a flat surface, gradually up the pace and/or add an incline. 

Cautions: Bumping up the incline beyond 5% to 10% could stress your joints. 
8. Walking Outdoors
Why It’s Good: All walking helps relieve arthritis pain, strengthen muscle and reduce stress, but you also get the benefit of being outside — a proven stress reliever. 

Do It Safely: Stick to smooth, dirt trails if you can — they’re kinder to joints than asphalt or concrete. Plus, “Walking on uneven terrain can aggravate arthritis in your hips, knees and feet,” adds Reyes. 

Cautions: Walking downhill can stress your knees. 
9. Cycling
Why It’s Good: Indoors or outdoors, cycling works all the muscles in your lower body — even your feet. 

Do It Safely: Adjust the seat height so that when your leg is extended on the down pedal, your knee is slightly bent. If you ride outside, wear padded cycling gloves to absorb shock and avoid handlebars that cause you to hunch over, which increases stress on your hands, wrists and elbows. 

Cautions: Upright stationary and outdoor bikes can aggravate back or knee problems. The solution might be a recumbent bike, which supports your back with your legs extended. 
10. Cross-Country Skiing
Why It’s Good: You can get a moderate to vigorous total-body workout. Unlike downhill skiing, there’s little twisting and turning of the knees. 

Do It Safely: A lesson is the best way to learn how to coordinate your arms and legs and how to fall and get back up with minimal strain. 

Cautions: Not recommended for someone who has moderate to severe arthritis in the upper or lower body. 
11. Elliptical Machine
Why It’s Good: “Because part of the work is done by the machine, and because your joints go through a fluid, circular motion, there’s less stress and strain on your lower body,” says Reyes. 

Do It Safely: Start with 10-minute sessions for the first few weeks, increasing time by five to 10 minutes a week. Begin at the lowest (easiest) slope and resistance settings. 

Cautions: If you have balance or coordination issues, this may not be the machine for you.  
12. Pliates
Why It’s Good: Done on a floor mat or machine, Pilates stretches the spine and strengthens muscles. 

Do It Safely. Try a one-on-one session with a certified teacher or find a class that addresses arthritis needs. Always move within a pain-free range and work at your own pace. 

Cautions: If you have osteoporosis, don’t bend forward with a curved back as it could up your risk of fracture, says Rebekah Rotstein, a Pilates instructor in New York City who offers classes specifically for people with bone and joint issues. 
13. Yoga
Why It’s Good: A slow-paced class that emphasizes proper form, as Iyengar yoga does, improves flexibility, strengthens muscles and reduces stress. Recent studies found that yoga improves fibromyalgia symptoms and reduces disease activity in RA. 

Do It Safely: Learn a comfortable resting pose to do in lieu of those that might cause discomfort. If you have severe arthritis, consider a chair yoga class. 

Cautions: Certain moves can strain affected joints, if you feel discomfort, modify the pose or assume a resting pose. 
 
14. Tai Chi
Why It’s Good: This mind-body martial art improves balance and reduces stress and arthritis pain. 

Do It Safely: Wear comfortable footwear with support. If your range of motion is limited, ask the instructor for modified moves. 

Cautions: Although tai chi is suitable for almost everyone, doing the moves while standing might not be best for people with severe arthritis or balance issues. Tai chi can be done while seated and other modifications can be applied to any practice. 
Physical Activity
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Make Walking Easier With Arthritis

Physical Activity

Make Walking Easier With Arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation's Walk With Ease Program provides resources to reduce your arthritis pain through walking. Try the program on your own or in a class setting.
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Work out your own way using our YES tool, with exercises customized to your abilities.
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Walk With Ease
Reduce your arthritis pain with our proven walking program, on your own or with a group.
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The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

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Live Yes! INSIGHTS


Give Just 10 Minutes.

Tell us what matters most to you. Change the future of arthritis.

By taking part in the Live Yes! INSIGHTS assessment, you’ll be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis, for yourself and for 54 million others. And all it takes is just 10 minutes.

Your shared experiences will help:

- Lead to more effective treatments and outcomes
- Develop programs to meet the needs of you and your community
- Shape a powerful agenda that fights for you

Now is the time to make your voice count, for yourself and the entire arthritis community. 

Currently this program is for the adult arthritis community.  Since the needs of the juvenile arthritis (JA) community are unique, we are currently working with experts to develop a customized experience for JA families. 

How are you changing the future?

By sharing your experience, you’re showing decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis, paving the way for change. You’re helping break down barriers to care, inform research and create resources that make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

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As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

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Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

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Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

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Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

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Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

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Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

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