I love the heated pool at the club! Never get to do the classes because they're only offered 9am on weekdays... and I'm at work... grrrr..

But the pool has been a lifesaver during the winters!

Endo told me earlier this week to "Go for it" so here we go starting in March - ugh!

Am going to give it a fair try - need to do something with these DANGed joints

Peace
Bluedogs2

Hi - I have CVID & some kind of joint issue I am trying to figure out (negative blood work). LOTS of symmetrical joint pain (sound familiar?) but minimal swelling. Anyhow....I teach a variety of aquatic classes - including what we call water walking, which is in the warmer 'leisure' pool. We have folks with rheumatoid, MS, different types of arthritis, knee/hip replacements...etc. WATER IS AWESOME for joints - most of what I teach I am on deck but I get in for 'slow' classes to let my joints float...there is a bit "ahhhhh" moment when I get in !!

Anyway, regular aquafit might be tough...with rheumatoid no exercise is not good but too much (too vigorous) can be bad. Having said that, in the water one can definitely work out at their own pace - less pressure to keep up to any one person - our drop in classes are very variable !

Water pressure can feel great - and just moving in the water is huge. On bad days just coming into the water and floating is awesome. When I have a real bad day, I get in and tell folks what to do...it buys me 1-2 hours of relief afterwards. Ok, it sucks when I feel the pain coming back but that relief is gold.

Walk in the water - forwards, backwards - knee lifts, kicks, hamstring curls...slow and steady. Sweep your arm around, roll your shoulders, wiggle your fingers & toes...flow with the water and take it easy. It's all good. Just get those joints moving & pick your pace.

If I didn't work in the water, I would still be in the water.

I have taken water exercise classes at two different places thru the yrs & absolutely LOVED it both times. Makes you feel great. I wish I could take a class but where we live now doesn't have any facilities close and it would be a 60 mile round trip. And with the cost of gas it would be cost prohibitive for me. but if I had it available to me I would for sure take advantage of it, just make sure the water temp is warm enough, cool/cold water makes me hurt!
Best wishes!

thanks y'all. i watched the video for the aqua fit class and it looks pretty tame. i'm hopeful.

Last summer I joined a Wellness Center that has 3 levels of aqua classes and has a warm arthritis pool. When I couldn't even do the level 1 without my problem joints screaming bloody murder that's when I knew I needed to see a rheumy. The 80 year olds kicked my a$$-problem. Yes doing nothing isn't good either and leaves us all in a lousy wall and a hard place. I go (oh yeah I committed for a year!!!) and Jacuzzi, walk some in the arthritis pool-I can only get up to 20 min with no repercussions. It helps my mood mainly to do something and visit with the other members so that is a good benefit. The instructor I had was cool about only doing what your body tells you is the limit-no way can I use the noodles and foam barbells for added resistance. I have been on pred only and the germs really worried me too. this place has a conscientious staff and constant cleaning so I'm sure that helps but I have purell EVERYWHERE I am to lather up. I'd try small bites. Update on how it goes if you decide to give it a whirl.

I love my water exercise classes! I started 14 months ago and I now go three times a week (most weeks). When I started I was so weak, had not hardly moved in two years. Yesterday I went full blast for 60 minutes.
I used to do the weight lifting, treadmill , all kinds of stuff. I climbed a mountain in 2009, And loved the training. I can't go back to all that high impact stuff.
The "Public Pool" has crossed my mind. I haven't had any problems, yet. There was one time when I went to class, and our normally salt pool, had LOTS of chorine. Somebody had an accident, and they cleaned up whatever happened. I went in with my class and everything was fine. The chorine was really strong, I am assuming I was disinfected too.
Give it a try. You might love it.

Stephgas,

I was a fitness nut prior to all of these health problems. I lifted weights regularly, played golf most weekends, and was really, really good at racquetball.

I don't see how I will ever be able to participate in any of these activities again. My newest Rheumy nearly demanded that I start pool therapy. So, after nearly seven years of zero exercising, I joined a local gym with a large regular pool and a smaller "warm therapy pool."

The gym holds multiple classes daily in the warm pool for peeps like us with arthritic issues. The two classes that I like the most are 'Strength and Balance" and "Simple Stretching "

The instructor is fantastic. I felt a little funny at first as I'm in my late 40's. There are 60, 70, 80, and in one class, a 90 year old participant.

I've gotten used to be the youngest, getting dogged by my elders, making some nice aquaintences, and starting to slowly get back in shape.

I'm a real stickler about germs as you mentioned. I carry Purell in my car and my gym bag. I bring shampoo and soap to the gym and shower immediately after every class.

So far, so good!

I wish you the best,
TheWino

I bought a aqua jogging belt and walked up and down the lap pool I start aqua jogging session Monday. It does really help, I used to walk 4 miles and run now that will never happen again but I do yoga which has been very helpful, the stationary bike and walking 2-3 miles, it takes a while don't push yourself but you have to do something the more you move the better the RA is. Remember its not a competition you do what you can at your own pace.
Good luck-Kay