Building some muscle is a great way to help protect your joints from further damage.

When it comes to alleviating symptoms of arthritis, staying inactive is never the answer. Exercise has long been recommended as an excellent way to help relieve arthritis symptoms, and frequent physical activity may provide you with a plethora of health advantages, ranging from strengthening your muscles to eliminating fatigue. As the Mayo Clinic insists, exercise is crucial for those living with arthritis, so here are a few of the recommended methods for working out with arthritis, as well as which exercises are considered best for the disease:

Improving Range of Motion

One of the best ways to alleviate arthritis pain in the knees, hands and fingers is by implementing simple range-of-motion exercises into your daily workout. These specific activities not only increase your overall mobility but have proven to be extremely effective for relieving stiffness and joint pain. Many of these exercises involve easy stretching techniques, such as shoulder and ankle rotations, wrist flexes as well as hamstring stretches. The ALS Association features a variety of range-of-motion exercises that you can find here.

Building Endurance

Aerobic-centered workouts are specifically designed to increase your overall endurance, which may help eliminate symptoms of fatigue that are common in most arthritis patients. They're also efficient in helping you control and maintain your weight, or even shed a few pounds if need be. But you don't have to endure strenuous sprints or outdoor jogs to get the aerobic exercise you need. There are a number of low-impact methods to give you adequate aerobic activity, including swimming, cycling and even mowing the lawn. The Mayo Clinic recommends engaging in at least 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercises three times a week, which you can split into increments of 10 minutes twice a day if you're looking to keep prolonged pressure off of your joints and bones.

Adding Strength

The stronger your muscles are, the better you'll be able to protect your bones and joints from any extensive damage. There are plenty of ways you can engage in strength-conditioning exercises that can specifically target the exact muscles you hope to strengthen. If you're hesitant about taking on strengthening workouts by yourself, enlisting the services of a physical therapist or fitness instructor will help boost your brawn with a series of activities that focus on the areas you specifically need to strengthen.

One of the most-recommended forms of strengthening exercises for those dealing with severe symptoms of arthritis is hydrotherapy, or water therapy. Enrolling in water therapy classes will help you perform several types of workouts that can build up your muscles. You receive an efficient workout while the pool provides more comfort and flexibility for your body.

Beginning to Exercise

Many people are hesitant to begin working out because of previous experiences of joint pain. It's important to consult with your physician before beginning to engage in physical activity by discussing which type of exercise plans will work best to complement your current condition. The more you begin to implement working out into your daily activities, the easier life with arthritis may become.

To learn more about exercising with arthritis:

The Key to More Exercise for Those with Chronic Pain
Great Autumn Exercises for People with Arthritis
Knee and Hip Exercises for Arthritis