With Yoga Mats and Gym Clothes searches up 250% according to Google Trends, at-home workouts are continuing to grow. But what are the best joint-friendly exercises in lockdown?
With over 600 media appearances since the start of the pandemic, GP and Medical Broadcaster Dr Sarah Jarvis is a trusted medical advisor to the British public. Here are her top picks to preserve our joints in a static life.
'Many people don't realise the extent to which your joints are supported by your muscles, which means that keeping your muscles strong helps protect your joints from injury, reducing pain and stiffness. Once you're over 50 in particular, it's important to add individual muscle group strengthening exercises to your regular aerobic exercise regime.'
'The most beneficial exercise for you, on the whole, is the one you're most likely to stick with. If you have significant problems with your joints, you may want to avoid very high impact exercise such as rugby, squash, skiing or gymnastics. HIIT (high intensity interval training) and step classes are also high impact. Running (in the right shoes with lots of shock absorbency) and tennis are moderate impact while cycling, yoga, swimming and water aerobics are low impact.'
'You should combine aerobic exercise (the kind that makes you mildly out of breath) with specific joint exercises to increase mobility and muscle strength for individual joints. Yoga, tai-chi, resistance band workouts, heavy gardening and pilates are all good for strengthening muscles: this reduces the risk of falls as you get older but also protects your joints.'
1. YOGA
2. TA-CHI
3. RESISTANCE BAND WORKOUTS
4. HEAVY GARDENING
5. PILATES
6. SUPPLEMENTS
'Collagen is a key component of the cartilage which lines your joints. While most people tend to think of joint supplements as being reserved for people with arthritis, a study of collagen supplements in young athletes found the supplements significantly improved joint pain.'
LQ Collagen Joint Care is available in liquid or powder form. Health benefitting ingredients include marine collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamins C & E, hyaluronic acid, ginger extract and copper. The Joint Care formula contributes to the maintenance of connective tissues and collagen formation for the normal function of bones and cartilage.
LQ Collagen Joint Care MAX, £27.99
LQ Collagen Joint Care Powder, £34.99
Available from Boots
