Exercise might be the last activity you want to do when your joints pain & your energy levels are low. However, exercise is beneficial to your health. It’s much more important if you do have rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Most adults should obtain 151 minutes of cardiovascular activity each week, according to the American Heart Association. Swimming allows you to move the body & exercise without placing additional strain on your hurting joints, making it an excellent suggested alternative for those with RA.

Furthermore, working out inside the water may be adapted to your fitness demands, whether you are a total novice or an accomplished athlete.

Learn why swimming is the 4th most common type of cardiovascular exercise and the advantages of swimming for rheumatoid arthritis in this blog by arthritis therapy Tucson.

Why is swimming beneficial to joints?

Most people will have knee or even other joint discomforts at some time in their lives. When this strikes, you may not want to exercise. But, whether you have knee arthritis, sore knees from jogging, or just hurting knees, swimming is among the finest activities for knee pain.

When you swim, the water buoys your body. You may work out without stressing your body since the water supports your body weight. This reduction in tension on the knees & other joints might aid in pain relief. The water also offers slight resistance, so moving your legs against it works your muscles and builds strength.

Swimming benefits for rheumatoid arthritis

Here are several ways that arthritis therapy, Tucson, swimming might help with RA.

Reduces muscle & joint soreness & stiffness

Swimming improves blood flow & circulation. More oxygen & nutrients are delivered to your muscles & joints when blood circulates more freely through the body.

The water can also help you to stretch & flex the muscles in a manner you would not be able to do otherwise.

Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease

Arthritis therapy Tucson says that swimming helps you enhance your overall cardiovascular health.

According to studies, RA is a well-recognized cardiovascular risk factor, which implies that improving your total fitness level, like swimming, can help decrease your risk.

Provides weightless relief for joints

Swimming, unlike jogging, running, or even walking, places little to no additional pressure on your muscles & joints since the water supports 90% of your weight. When you’re swimming, there’s no shock from a collision with the earth.

Arthritis therapy Tucson says that swimming can be a great option if you have mild to severe arthritis & are having difficulty with other workout routines that do not preserve the joints.

Improves muscle strength & support

Swimming is often thought of as a cardio activity, but it may also assist increase muscle strength. Water has greater resistance than air, so your muscles just have to work harder to propel you through it.

Muscle strength can help with RA. Regular exercise can help maintain your supporting muscles strong, which can help keep the joint structures in place & prevent your RA from worsening.

Other rheumatoid arthritis-friendly aquatic activities

Swimming is only one of the various water-based sports you may attempt to keep active. Here are a few more water-based workouts recommended by aquatic therapy Tucson:

• Water walking. Take a stroll in waist-to-chest-deep water. For an extra challenge, walk a lap ahead and then backwards, or ramp up the pace.
• Water jogging. According to aquatic therapy Tucson, water jogging is a simple workout in which you simulate jogging and running in place, usually in deeper water. Though expert joggers may do this without any gear, you may discover that a flotation belt provides you with a bit extra buoyancy. You might be able to utilize one at a gym or a health spa.
• Water aerobics. Water aerobics classes often include some of the same routines as land-based aerobics classes but are adapted for use in the water. Water aerobics is a common class offered by gyms. You should expect a full-body exercise that covers your arms, legs, and belly.

How to start

Before beginning any new workout regimen, consult with your doctor first. They can advise you on how to begin a new workout routine safely based on your health.

Following your doctor’s approval, here are some pointers to get you started:

• Look for a heated pool. For maximum pain relief, the Arthritis Foundation suggests exercising in warm water between 83 & 90°F (28 & 32°C). Check with your local pools, fitness centers, or physical therapy centers to see whether they are heated or provide arthritis-specific activities.
• Hydrate regularly. It is difficult to detect when you are sweating in the pool, so take breaks as required to drink some water as well as other fluids, & bring some with you.
• Don’t push through joint pain. Even though water workouts give good joint relief, you still may feel discomfort. If you do, it’s indeed preferable to stop rather than continue. You can discuss what is and is not normal pain during exercise with aquatic therapy in Tucson.
• Come prepared. Swimming or water workouts don’t require much equipment, but some items to consider packing include swim or pool boots for traction, goggles, flotation devices (noodles and kickboards), and water bottles.

Precautions to Take Before Exercising in the Water

Regular exercise is an important aspect of the arthritis treatment plan and will be recommended by your doctor whether you possess osteoarthritis or perhaps an autoimmune, inflammatory form like rheumatoid arthritis. However, before beginning any water fitness program, consult with an aquatic therapy Tucson specialist to ensure that pool workouts are appropriate for you.

Before you begin, consider the following:

Consider your gear. Water shoes will provide you with more traction just on the pool surface. If you’re working out in deeper water, keep yourself floating using a Styrofoam noodle or a flotation vest. For added resistance, you can use Styrofoam weights and perhaps a kickboard.

Stay hydrated. You would not notice if you are sweating when doing pool activities, so drink lots of water.

Conclusion:

Swimming and water-based workouts can help with RA as well as your general health. One of the key advantages of land-based activities is the feeling of near weightlessness, which relieves joint tension. Swimming also combines cardio and strength exercise, which can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, boost muscular strength & joint support, and prevent disease development.

Saguaro Aquatics provides swim lessons in Marina Arizona. Swimming classes are provided for all ages, from children to adults. You can select from a variety of group & private swim classes. We have a fantastic swimming pool and a staff of knowledgeable teachers. We also adhere to COVID safety regulations and guarantee that our facility meets all safety requirements. To connect with us, give us a quick call at (520)-638-8040 or write to us at swim@saguaroaquatics.com.