Arthritis is a very common condition. There are 100 different types of arthritis and more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children are affected. Arthritis is very painful and because of this, it’s sometimes difficult to move around when you’re experiencing symptoms. This leads to the common misunderstanding that exercise aggravates arthritis, causing more stiffness and joint pain. The good news? Movement can actually help ease arthritis pain.
When you don’t exercise, your joints stiffen, causing more pain. This is because without exercise, your muscles and surrounding tissue become weak and are unable to support your bones. With exercise, bones remain strong, giving you the support your body needs.
Exercising allows you to increase your strength and flexibility, lessen joint pain, and fight fatigue. It strengthens the muscles around the joints, helps you maintain bone strength, and improves your balance. It also controls weight gain, which can cause more stress on joints. Exercise improves your whole quality of life because you are able to move around more easily.
Exercises that include range of motion, strength, and aerobic exercises are all helpful for arthritis. At Acacia Creek, a Masterpiece Living Certified Center for Successful Aging, and retirement community, we believe that exercise is an important part of all wellness categories – intellectual, social, physical, and purposeful. Try classes like:
- Functional Fitness – Monday and Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room
- Moving with Purpose – Monday and Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room
- Sit and Be Fit – Monday through Thursday at 9:15 a.m. in the Gym Annex
- Muscle Maintenance – Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in the Gym Annex
If a class setting does not fit in with your schedule or fitness personality, please come to Gym Time with Yanasa or Rochelle (every Monday and Wednesday between 1:00-1:45 p.m. in the Gym Annex). We are more than happy to give you a one-on-one consultation and to design a personalized fitness program to fit your needs and goals.
Yanasa Williams,
Exercise Physiologist
Acacia Creek Retirement Community inspires residents to live an active, meaningful life. Our mission as a senior community is to enrich the independence, well-being, and security of our residents through exceptional services and care based on Masonic values.
To learn more about Acacia Creek or our senior housing opportunities, visit us at www.acaciacreek.org.
