Joint-friendly sports

Everybody knows that regular exercise keeps healthy and is good for body and soul. But what if our joints refuse their service when practicing your favorite sport? If, due to rheumatism, osteoarthritis or excessive stress, we should not put even more strain on them, we must cancel some types of sport, like for example jogging, completely.

The best sports for people who have problems with their joints are for example:

• Rowing
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Nordic Walking
• Cross-country skiing
• Crosstrainer

Rowing

This classical training for the whole body is ideal for those who seek a maximum of training result in as little time as possible. Rowing trains the joints without exerting any pressure or shocks and even the lower back muscles are trained. Another advantage: a rowing equipment is suitable for all levels and any age.

Cycling

The regular movements when cycling are especially good for the knee and hip joints as they are moved without exerting any pressure or shocks. Most ideally you choose a low gear and high pedaling speed.

Swimming

Similar to aqua-jogging the buoyancy in the water relieves the joints at swimming. To swim the crawl or the backstroke are more advisable than the breast stroke then when practicing the breast stroke the back is hollow and the cervical vertebra are strongly bent backward. Besides that, the regular up and down movements of the legs when swimming the crawl or the backstroke are better for the knees than the scissor-movements when practicing the breast stroke.

Hiking

Compared to jogging, hiking has a decisive advantage: It is clearly more beneficial for the joints. The slow, regular movements train and build-up muscles, bones and tendons slowly. It is important though to wear hiking boots with a grip sole and ankle-protection.

Nordic Walking

Nordic Walking is a good alternative to jogging, which is known to have quite a big impact on the joints. Nordic Walking is especially gentle to the knee-joints. When Nordic Walking, your knee joints only have to absorb 1 to 1 ½-times the weight of your body, whereas at jogging it is the double or triple of your body weight. You should wear shoes with supporting and shock absorbing features and of course it is far more advisable to walk on soft paths than on hard asphalt grounds.

Crosstrainer

This workout device belongs to the basic equipment of each fitness center. It allows to combine the aerobic training with a soft course of motions, reducing the impact on the whole body, compared to normal jogging. This device trains all big muscle groups in the legs, trunk and arms. The course of motions is similar to the one at jogging/walking.