Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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GinDawg27 08/30/2014

Hello all! I've been researching exercise and RA and weightlifting is one of the main things said to help. Does anyone have personal experience with weightlifting? Or just ideas about exercise in general? I'm very excited to start weightlifting with my soon to be brother in law! :)

gotorun 08/30/2014

I strength train three times a week. It does help
I also run. Exercise has kept my RA under control.
I think the endorphins help with pain. Go for
It girl. If your hands hurt get some gloves.

Sunvalleygal 08/30/2014

I lift light weights and walk and do a little jogging (mot much). Walking and lifting light weights has helped me so much. I am 52 .... and I have found that it doesn't take a lot of exercise and I don't have to get radical, but it helps me deal w/ pain and keeps me mentally a lot healthier. Take it easy at first... if you over do it you could possibly get discouraged.
Sun

bcatz 08/30/2014

I hadn't heard about weightlifting helping RA, but I know it is supposed to help muscle wasting that can occur with RA.
I am being evaluated on Tuesday for 2-3x week strength training. I'm sure it will be a sad report initially but I'm expecting a substantial increase in strength in 8 weeks or so.

magienoire 08/31/2014

Weightlifting is amazing, I have done it most of my adult life, however none at all since RA onset in the last year. Hoping to get back to it soon. Use lower weight/higher reps than standard recommendations; lift slowly, especially on the release of each rep, in front of a mirror if possible to check your form. Make a great playlist to motivate yourself.

LB1977 08/31/2014

I would like to start weight lifting again. Even exercising, period, for that matter! I'm afraid holding free weights will hurt too much though :/

Trooper45yrs 08/31/2014

I'm glad to see a discussion on this right now. I am really struggling with the whole idea of exercise. I have such bad pain with my feet, I haven't even been out walking for the past year. Then, I just got my orthotics and they do seem to help some, not a lot. I am with LB1977 on this. I really pay for it when I try to live anything with any weight. Any strain on my joints just seems to cause them to flare even more.

Interestingly, last weekend I went to an event out of town and after the event, I got lost trying to find my car. I had a heavy backpack and a cooler and I ended up walking about six miles trying to find my car. (I know, stupid.) I was shocked and amazed that the next day, I didn't have any more pain in my feet or any other joints for having done that. So, I am really at a loss for what is going on here.

I just went to the grocery store today and my feet have been hurting ever since. I wish I could do what the rest of you are doing.

Trooper45yrs 08/31/2014

"...lift anything with any weight..."

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