New research shows a self-directed exercise program may help improve arthritis symptoms.

New research suggests that a self-directed exercise program may help improve arthritis symptoms, according to Medscape. Participants in a program called First Step to Active Health exercised for 12 weeks, and enjoyed improved lower body strength and flexibility, less fatigue, pain and stiffness and a greater sense of self-efficacy in managing arthritis. This is an impressive collection of benefits.

"This program adds a more flexible format to the existing list of evidence-based programs, and it may appeal to subgroups of the arthritis population with less access to community programs," Dr. Sara Wilcox and her colleagues wrote in a report in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The program helped people set and follow their own exercise routines through self-monitoring logs that they returned to the researchers. This let everyone involved work at his or her own pace on the fitness goals, which were cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, strength and balance.

What can you do?

While people with arthritis benefit from exercise, it can be difficult in some cases to get started. For example, maybe you work a job with variable hours that makes getting to a class every week impossible, or you live very far away from a town with a gym. This new study suggests you could also benefit from working out at home at your own pace. There are plenty of websites and apps available that can detail fitness programs for you, including instructional videos and suggested schedules.

Of course, you should always talk to your doctor before you begin an exercise program, even if it seems easy and light. You should make sure you're doing a form of exercise that is right for you - and one that won't hurt your joints or exacerbate arthritis symptoms. You and your doctor can discuss activities that will work for you, which might include stretching, walking, swimming or other low-impact forms of exercise.

If you are unable to get to a class or join a gym, you can take charge of your own fitness at home with a plan you develop with your doctor. You may also want to consult with a personal trainer, preferably someone who has worked with arthritis patients before. Having an expert outline your exercise plan before you start can give you a good idea of what you'll be doing and why, and it can save you from trial and error too.

For more on exercising with arthritis:

Safety Tips for Exercising Outdoors with Arthritis
Pilates Exercises to Ease Arthritis Pain
The Key to More Exercise for Those with Chronic Pain