Warming Up and Stretching
Adapted from Linda
Melone (Arthritis Foundation)
Warming up and stretching is an important part of any exercise routine. Dynamic stretches can both increase flexibility and help you warm up
before you exercise.
Our friends at the Arthritis
Foundation,
have put together some dynamic stretches that can help you warm up before your next workout.
Remember: To keep safe, always check in with
your healthcare team before trying any new exercises, stretches or warm ups. This will help to ensure that they are appropriate for your
type of arthritis.
1. Hip Circles:
Stand on one leg, using a counter top for support, and gently swing the opposite leg in circles out to the side. Perform 20 circles in each
direction. Switch legs. Progressively increase the size of the circles as you become more flexible.
2. Arm Circles:
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and hold arms out to the sides, palms down, at shoulder height. Gently perform 20 circles in each
direction. Progressively increase the size of the circles as you become more flexible.
3. Arm Swings:
Stand with arms out in front, parallel to the floor, palms facing down. Walk forward as you swing arms in unison to the right so your left
arm is in front of your chest and fingers point out to the right.
Keep torso and head facing forward – only move at the shoulder joints. Reverse the direction of the swing (as you keep walking) to
the opposite side. Repeat five times on each side.
4. High-Stepping:
Stand with feet parallel to each other and at shoulder-width apart.
Step forward with the left leg and raise the right knee high up toward your chest (use a wall for balance, if needed) and use both hands
(or one, if using the other for balance) to pull the knee up further.
Pause and bring right leg back down; repeat with the other side and continue "high-stepping" five times on each leg as you walk
forward.
5. Heel-to-Toe Walk:
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and take a small step forward by placing the heel of the right foot on the ground and rolling forward
onto the ball of your foot, rising as high as possible (as if standing on tip-toe), while bringing the left foot forward and stepping in
the same heel-to-toe roll.
Repeat five times on each leg.
6. Lunge
with a Twist:
Stand with feet parallel to each other and take an exaggerated step forward (keep one hand on a wall for balance, if needed) with your
right foot, planting it fully on the floor in front of you, allowing the knee and hip to bend slowly; keep torso upright.
Keep right knee directly over ankle – do not allow it to pitch forward over your foot. Slightly flex your left knee as you lower it
toward the ground until it is a couple inches above the floor (or as far as flexibility allows).
In this position, reach overhead (skip the overhead reach if you’ve recently had shoulder surgery) with your left arm and bending
torso toward the right side; return to upright and step forward with the left foot. Repeat five times on each side.
Note: Do not attempt if you have trouble with balance.
7. Step Up and Over:
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips (or lightly touching a wall in front of you for balance).
Shift weight to your left leg as you lift your right leg until thigh is parallel to the ground and then step out to the side as if stepping
over an object; pause and lower into a squat (or half squat).
Push up through the heels, stand up and return leg to starting position. Repeat five times on each side.
How can we help?
Information provided on this website is of an educational nature and should not be relied on as medical advice. You should consult with
your health care professional about the appropriateness of this information for your particular case.
JOIN OUR 12-WEEK ONLINE 'ARTHRITIS MOVES' EXERCISE PROGRAM.
Always talk to your doctor and/or health professional before starting an exercise program. A physiotherapist or exercise physiologist
can suggest safe exercises and make sure you are doing your exercises correctly
