Do you have arthritis? Are you wondering whether you can do Pilates?

The answer is a resounding YES!

And the news gets even better: With the right approach, Pilates is the ideal form of exercise that can help people with arthritis move better, feel better and live better!

Why do Pilates when you have Arthritis?

I get it: When you have arthritis, staying active can be a challenge. After all, movement can be painful.

While you need to move to maintain your strength and mobility, many types of exercise can actually make your symptoms worse. Luckily, with Pilates, there are many options to help you move your body in a way that helps you feel better and get out of pain.

Understanding Arthritis and Exercise

If you’re one of the many millions of people all over the world who live with arthritis, you know that movement and exercise can be painful. So why would you want to move if you have arthritis? Let’s look at how these two things are connected.

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is a term that covers a wide range of conditions. But whether you have bone-on-bone arthritis (osteoarthritis or OA) or an inflammatory form of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PA), or even gout or lupus, the right kind of movement can help:

• Reduce pain and inflammation

• Improve joint flexibility

• Build strength

• Improve balance and reduce the risk of falling

• Reduce stress

• Boost your mood

Why Pilates is great for Arthritis

 Arthritis organizations and medical experts recommend that people with arthritis stay active with activities that are controlled with little to no impact. This makes Pilates an ideal choice: Pilates exercises are low-impact and easy on the joints. They are also done in a very controlled, slow manner, and can build not only flexibility, but also strength and mobility. Even better, a certified Pilates teacher can easily modify the movements to suit your specific needs.

How to do Pilates with Arthritis

Now that you know why Pilates is perfect for you if you have arthritis, let’s look at a few things to keep in mind.

Where to find the right teacher

When you’re learning a system as complex and well-structured as Pilates, you want to work with a well-qualified teacher rather than following along to a video. A good teacher can help you adapt every movement to your body so you get the maximum benefit. This takes a little bit of research: Look at the websites of local studios to see if they have experienced teachers who can help you. You ideally want a certified teacher. To find one, you can go to the teacher directory of the Pilates Method Alliance or to training organizations such as Polestar Pilates that specialize in Pilates modifications for different bodies.

More to consider

Start with 1-1 sessions

1-1 sessions can be pricey, but they also allow you to learn good form quickly. This not only helps you prevent overdoing it or getting injured, but also ensures that you can make progress quickly – that is, at the speed that works for your body.

Easy does it

Speaking of speed and progress – “no pain, no gain” is not your friend. Be gentle on your body and explore what works or doesn’t work for you. Also remember that your body may feel very different from day to day.

Persistence pays

Most importantly, don’t give up and enjoy! If a teacher or a program doesn’t work for you, try another – I promise you there’s a good fit out there.