Oftentimes people with arthritis find it challenging to perform certain types of exercise. Due to inflammation in the joints it can be difficult to perform traditional types of exercise, such as walking or lifting weights.

Typically, when you are diagnosed with arthritis your healthcare practitioner will provide you with a comprehensive arthritis treatment plan that includes various types of arthritis exercises. This plan will also include any dietary restrictions and inform you of the various types of food known to reduce arthritis pain. Generally, this arthritis treatment plan will also include a list of foods known to aggravate arthritis symptoms such as red meat, dairy products, food additives, and processed foods.

Some of the most popular exercises for arthritis are cycling, dance, yoga, water aerobics, tai chi, muscle strenthening, and weight training.

It's best to talk with your healthcare practitioner before starting an exercise program because it's unknown whether a certain exercise routine will aggravate your arthritis symptoms.

Today, most health insurance companies offer discounts on health products and clubs. Therefore, be sure to check with your insurance carrier to see which benefits are offered to you.

In addition, many health clubs offer up to a 50 percent discount to certain insurance members. The majority of these clubs offer private sessions with a qualified exercise trainer. Many of these trainers are well-versed in helping clients develop an arthritis exercise program suited to their needs. Typically, the cost of a personal trainer is not covered and will be an out-of-pocket expense.

Another option is to look into joining your local YMCA or YWCA. Oftentimes, these organizations offer water aerobics, which has shown to be effective in decreasing arthritis pain. Water aerobics is a very gentle form of exercise and can be performed by nearly everyone. It involves sitting in a shallow pool and conducting gentle resistance exercises.

Heat is very benficial to sore joints, so it should be applied to joints regardless of the type of exercise program. Heat will make joints more flexible and should be applied for 5 to 15 minutes at a time.

You will want to perform stretch exercises after you apply heat to your joints and before you start your exercise routine. After you complete your exercises, use cold packs to help reduce inflammation on your joints.

In order to make sure you stick with an exercise program, choose one that you enjoy and doesn't cause you intense pain.