Workouts are tough. Some days you’re ready to get up and out the door for a long walk, and other days a comfy chair is a welcomed relief.
Living with osteoarthritis is the same way.
According to “Exercise and osteoarthritis,” an article published in the Journal of Anatomy by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability in older people.
For those living with it, some days are free from pain, and others feel as if you’re carrying the weight of the world in your hands, hips or knees. So, how does one continue to exercise while living with joint pain?
Maintain a schedule of consistent, low-impact exercise that allows the body to continue to move freely, while releasing tension in joints and maintaining a level of flexibility. Low-impact exercises are often prescribed to promote weight loss, preserve joint range of motion, improve strength and reduce symptoms, according to the article.
In order to get yourself moving in ways that strengthen, alleviate and contribute to better overall health, here’s where to find osteoarthritis-friendly activities in NoVA that are more than just taking a walk or jumping in the neighborhood pool.
New Trail Cycling
You may own a bicycle and want to use it for a low-impact workout, but you’re concerned about falling, distance or balance. No need to worry about any of those when spinning on a stationary bike, says New Trail Cycling. The studio offers a 55-plus class designed specifically for riders looking for a great workout, but who aren’t looking for the Soul-Cycle-style endurance push. Also, according to Lifespan, cycling classes offer a high-intensity workout without impacting the joints, and can have cardiovascular benefits that lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. // New Trail Cycling Studio: 1641b Washington Plaza N., Reston; Prices vary
PIES Fitness Yoga Studio
PIES specializes in being an all-inclusive health and wellness location and offers a wide array of osteoarthritis-friendly exercise classes. Stretch your body gently and practice your balance in the “My Body Don’t Bend that Way,” class, grab a chair and join the “My Body Don’t Sit on the Floor,” class or find yourself in one of the longer restorative classes for deeper stretching and tension relief. // West End Village Studio: 374 S. Pickett St., Alexandria; Valley Forge Studio: 33 S. Pickett St., Suite 200, Alexandria; prices vary
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese practice that focuses on energy within movements, implementing balance and strength techniques, and focuses on the mental, physical and spiritual connections of the specific movements. Several studies have been conducted on how tai chi impacts bone mineral density, which directly relates to the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis. Take an energy movement class, a self-healing class or a body and brain yoga class at this location. // Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi: 123 Church St. NW, Vienna; prices vary
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