I would love to take something like that, but in my case, the
long drive would not be worth the effort.

I took a class early on but the water temp was 80....for me that was too cold. I think the temp was suppose to be 87 to qualify for the arthritis class but the pool was very old and they could never get it that high. Anyway I stopped going because in the winter to get into that chilly pool and go thru the difficulties of getting dressed more than once, it was all too daunting for me at the time.

I tried a warm water class specifically for people with arthritis and was taught by an Arthritis Association certified instructor so seemed to be a quality class. My personal experience was that my knee pain worsened during and for days after each class. Considering trying it again though.

Go for it! I did an arthritis class at a Y for many years, and LOVED IT! It is very very helpful. Our class was called arthritis but was open to anyone who needed it and we have people with a variety of back ailments and some who could barely walk on land, or used wheelchairs. Watching them all move freely in the water was FABULOUS!

The only problem with being the instructor is that you often have to be OUT of the water so people can see what you are doing, but I would assume you would get other times to use the pool yourself and CAN teach in the water or back and forth.

Hi twyliah, what a great give back to the community. You will be blessed and so will those who join. I have been to those classes when the RA was not this bad, but the water was just too cold. Even though I complained and so did others it was falling on deaf ears. I had to forgo the last few clases and many dropped out midway. The instructor suggested I get a wet suit. The classes were great, and we did regular stretching exercises in the water. Good luck with the classes. Suera and my stories seem the same. Suera are you sure you weren't in my class (smile). I was taking classes in the fall-winter and it was too much.

Hello Liah,

First, thank you for helping.

Secondly, to answer your question, I saw my Rheumy about three weeks ago. He said I should not be performing the normal exercises at the moment (he is afraid I will break something) but he said I should exercise in a warm pool.

My wife was with me and she replied, "but we don't have a pool." I'll never forget the Rheumy's reply. He said, "this is the South and there are pools everywhere. Throw his azz in the pool".

He made his point very clear and I still laugh about it.

Thanks for your help,

TheWino

I am so lucky, I have been going to a water aerobics class for months, in a 92% salt water pool. It is heavenly. I would advise starting out very slowly, because if you overdo it, you could cause a flare. I have done that a few times until I figured out that my body responds differently than it did pre-RA.
I took physical therapy in the pool before going to the classes, after 12 lessons my strength tripled. Really! I know it is hard to believe, but it is true! My feet are very bad, so I can't stand for long at all. Floating in that pool and being able to move without pain is wonderful.

Tried a regular water aerobics class in a normal pool early on. A lot of the exercises I could not do because it included grabbing the edge of the pool or another persons hands. Well, only went a couple times. We have a warm pool in a center here but it's only open during the day when I'm at work.
I would go for an RA water aroids class if available.

Our pool will be a warm water pool for people with arthritis. I'm very excited about the whole new community center, it will have Olympic size pools for the competitive swimmers (both my daughters are competitive swimmers), a walking track (indoor), workout areas, and lots more.