If you suffer from osteoporosis, your bones are brittle and are more prone to breakages, which take a long time to heal. However, the good news is that – through exercise – you can prevent the progression of the disease and improve your quality of life.
Why Weight-Bearing Exercises Are Essential For Osteoporosis Sufferers
During weight-bearing exercises we act against a force (be it gravity or a weight at the gym) in order to keep us upright. These types of exercises assist with building stronger bones (in order words building bone density). As a result, if you suffer from osteoporosis – and you’ll fall – if you regularly do weight-bearing exercises it is less likely that you’ll break any bones.
There are a variety of weight-bearing exercises that you can choose from, range from the less intense to the more strenuous. At the lower end, you have exercise modalities such as tennis, dancing and walking. At the more intense end, you have your cardio equipment at the gym such as the treadmill, stationary bike and elliptical machine, all of which you can do while playing at https://canadianonlineslots.net/.
The Value Of Strength-Training For Those With Osteoporosis
Strength training – which is also called resistance training – also works on building bone density. In addition, this type of exercise also strengthens muscles that, in turn, improves balance. The ultimate benefit is that if balance is improved, there will be less of a chance of falls.
The rule of thumb with strength training is to start slowly and don’t overdo it. If overdoing weight-training can cause damage to a 20-year-old, think what it can do to you. So, be very cautious. Start with the lightest weight possible so that you can master the technique of the exercise and are not just focused on lifting the weight.
If you’re a little unsure about weight-training and what is safe, at most gyms there are personal trainers who can help you to design an exercise programme that works for you and is safe.
If lifting weights just isn’t your cup of tea, you could also try yoga and Pilates. If you are new to the class, remember to tell the instructor that you suffer from osteoporosis and they will be able to advise you which exercises or poses you need to avoid.
Exercising can be quite intimidating – especially the weights section of the gym. As someone with osteoporosis, it is vital for you to engage in some of the exercises that we’ve mentioned above as this will improve your quality of life and could prevent you from more serious complications related to the disease, such as internal injury from a fall. If you feel that you can’t do it alone, ask around and see if someone can recommend a personal trainer who specialises in training osteoporosis sufferers.
