Another part of the typical fitness training program that didn't fit for me was weight work of an aggressive nature. Thanks to my arthritis, I wasn't able to put much stress on my wrists, shoulders or elbows without suffering from an undue amount of pain that would eventually become debilitating. So a fitness training program that focused on weight work, or even focused on push-ups, would be both too strenuous and too likely to cause me an injury. So I devised a fitness training program for myself. I knew the important parts of a fitness training program were threefold: Cardiovascular training, flexibility training, and stregth training. After trying several different types of cardiovascular training, I eventually was able to discover that a sit-down exercise bike was the answser for me. It put very little stress on my joints, and thanks to the ability to put it on minimal resisitance, I could pedal for an hour without suffering cramps or arthritis-related swelling. I now ride the bike anywhere from ten to fifteen miles five times a week. Strength training for me was just a matter of accepting that I would have to use lower weight and do more reps. Curls, triceps work, sit-ups and leg lifts round out my strength training routine. I do strength work for about fifteen minutes after the bike. And finally, stretching. It's an important and often overlooked part of fitness training program routines. Simple work on both your arms and legs, as well as your torso, can make you limber and fit for tomorrow's activities.
|