If you are new to fitness, or even if you have been doing it a while, you may be noticing that certain types of exercise hurt. It’s not necessarily a sign that you shouldn’t be exercising at all.
As we age our joints suffer some wear and tear. This in turn can cause some discomfort when we use them in a particular way.
Equally, if we are too heavy for these joints, they are going to tell us about it by aching when we use them for exercise.
Don’t ignore the pain. Assess why it is you are suffering the discomfort. If you are a little bit out of shape, and need to lose a few pounds then don’t despair. You can do that without using the uncomfortable joints in ways that cause pain. Also, if you are fit but feeling uncomfortable, there are ways to continue exercising that won’t increase your pain.
High impact exercises like jogging, running, and aerobic workouts can cause some discomfort on vulnerable joints. Places like knees, ankles and hips tend to ache more as we get older. This may have nothing to do with how much we exercised before, or how heavy we are now. It is just a fact of life. Looking after these joints but still getting the right sort of exercise is essential.
Aerobic exercise is essential to raise our heart rate and our metabolism. It is a great way to burn fat and to increase our cardiovascular stamina. If you are finding running is too impactful, why not swap the treadmill for this e35 sole elliptical or another elliptical training machine to significantly reduce the impact on your joints. It also works out your upper body, which a treadmill can’t do.
If you are finding your neck, shoulders or back are starting to ache more often, you could swap the high impact sit-ups or rowing machine, for a combination of activity. Yoga is great for stretching these areas and improving the strength of the muscles to support your posture. An elliptical machine can then be used to work your cardiovascular system.
There are lots of ways you can reduce the impact on your joints while you work out. It is important not to stop using them though, unless your Physio or doctor recommend complete rest. Joints need regular movement to ensure the structure stays strong and free flowing. The muscles and tendons supporting the area must also be used to keep them from becoming inflexible and tight. If you are worried about pains in the joints, see your doctor. Swelling and redness in these areas could be signs of a problem that may need medical intervention.
A good fitness programme should help you stay flexible, strong and fit. Aerobic and anaerobic exercises should be combined to give you a complete workout. If you have not done a lot of exercise for a while, it could be a good idea to speak to your local gym about a programme to ease you back into it. Speak to your doctor if you need to lose weight.
The greatest wealth is Health – eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life!