Despite recommendations, RA patients still not exercising

 

Exercise is something that is extremely important for most people. Whether you're trying to get ripped, or trying to reduce the painful symptoms of arthritis, working out is something that can help you achieve your goal. A recent study funded by a grant from the National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases found that 42 percent of adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could be considered inactive.

"While there is much evidence of the benefits of physical activity, RA patients are generally not physically active, and physicians often do not encourage regular physical activity in this patient population," explained researcher Jungwha Lee, M.D.

To be inactive, a person has to have not completed even 10-minutes of continuous moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in a week. According to Lee, this is a public health concern, and more research is needed to address the motivation behind RA patients' lack of physical activity. Furthermore, Lee called for more awareness programs designed to encourage this population to get exercise in order to reduce their discomfort. 

How to exercise in the winter with arthritis

 

Few things can get in the way of your get ripped routine more than the winter blues, especially if you have arthritis. People with this condition are supposed to exercise often to improve the pain from their disease, but it can be hard to work out when you can feel the cold in all of your joints.

Recently, NorthJersey.com made some suggestions for people with arthritis who want to work out in the winter.

The news source recommended easing into a routine, and spoke to rheumatologist Anil Kapoor about what he believes is the best workout for people with arthritis. According to the expert, you may want to find an indoor pool.

"It is very easy to start an exercise program with aqua therapy. Because of how much lighter you are in the water, it makes movement that much easier. It's especially good for those who suffer hip, knee or back pain, and it's the ideal way to start out before building up to hard-surface exercise," said Kapoor, quoted by the news source.

The Arthritis Foundation states that exercise is an essential tool in managing this disease, they reminded people that it doesn't take a lot to get physical activity. The organization states that playing golf, taking a walk around the block or a yoga class are all good first steps.

Get ripped with alternative workouts

 

While trying to get ripped, traditional gym exercises can get boring. Luckily, there are many different ways to workout, and you don't always have to be running on a treadmill in order to burn off calories. Recently, KSAT, a Texas news source, reported on all of the different ways that you can get in a workout without hitting the gym.

The first suggestion the news source made was to go dancing.

"Bopping to favorite tunes and shaking your hips when out on the town is one of the most energetic methods of exercising, and it can lead to great weight-reducing results if practiced frequently. For example, an individual weighing 150 pounds can burn 109 calories every 10 minutes while dancing," according KSAT.

Next, the news provider recommended finding ways to workout in your office, such as stretching every so often and holding each pose for a few seconds to tense the muscles.

AskMen.com suggests trying a desk press at the office. This involves placing your palms on the desk, keeping your body in a straight line, and then doing a series of knee drives and push-ups.

 

Alec Baldwin gets ripped to fight diabetes

 

While there are plenty of reasons to get ripped, one of the best ones is to keep yourself healthy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need at least 150 minutes a week of cardio, with muscle-strengthening activities worked in two days a week in order to prevent obesity-related conditions.

Of the many diseases that are associated with obesity, one of the most common is type 2 diabetes. In fact, even celebrities can't seem to escape this condition.

Recently, The New York Daily News reported that actor Alec Baldwin lost 30 pounds after being diagnosed with pre-diabetes, a condition where blood glucose levels are high, but not high enough to be considered diabetic.

"I do Pilates and spin, but I don't do as much yoga as I'd like," said Baldwin, quoted by the news source. "When we're shooting and I can't work out, I just have to eat less. So I'm very conscious of that. But sugar was the real killer for me - that was the problem."

Do you stretch before a workout?

 

If you're running late but still trying to fit in a quick workout to help you get ripped, then you may skip stretching. Many people do not think that this is a very important step in a exercise plan, but it has it's benefits. Recently, The Chicago Tribune discussed some of the main points of why people should stretch.

According to the news source, stretching can help stave off injury, sharpen your performance and improve your posture.

"Essentially [not stretching is] like trying to drive a car without first making sure all the tires are on it," said Los Angeles-based personal trainer Matt Berenc, quoted by the news source. "Stretching is essentially preparing the body for movement."

The experts the news source spoke to recommended static stretching, which is holding one position for a long period of time. Once you begin to really feel the stretch, then it's time to stop holding it and move on.

The Mayo Clinic states that stretching increases blood flow to the muscle, something that is very important post-exercise. 

Hardcore workout routine for cops, military, now available to you

 

If you're serious about your plan to get ripped, then you need to find a serious workout ritual. While jogging a few times a week on a treadmill may help people lose a little weight, that's not enough to get you ripped. Recently, the Edmonton Journal reported on CrossFit, the exercise routine done by police academies, the military and now you.

CrossFit is a combination of strength training and cardiovascular exercises that create a high-intensity workout that can be done in a short time. According to practitioners, the workout creates results.

"As far as cardio, [before] I wouldn’t have been able to run a kilometer without dropping to the ground and trying to catch my breath. Now I can run [a] 5K, 10K no problem. As far as pull-ups I couldn’t do one or two and now I can do 20 without a break," said Nabil Fallah, quoted by the news source.

CrossFit.com states that the routine can be catered to put anyone in the best physical health possible, from elderly individuals looking to improve their heart health to cage match fighters. If you're interested, check to see if your local gym offers any CrossFit training programs. 

Use kettlebells to help you get ripped

 

If you're trying to get ripped, then you know that after a while, exercises can become boring. When you get bored with a workout routine, then you lose the motivation to keep going through it, which can spell disaster for your muscles. Recently, Yahoo! News reported on different ways an athlete can use kettlebells to create a new and fun strength training regimen.

First, you can try kettlebell squats. According to the news source, this requires standing with feet about hip length apart, holding the kettlebell with each hand and bend your knees into squatting position. Be sure to keep your back straight while performing this exercise and squeeze your glutes as you move back into standing position.

Next, the news source explained kettlebell plank rows, which can increase strength in a person's legs, arms and thighs. Yahoo! said to start in a plank position with your hands an toes on the ground. Keep the feet far enough apart to let you balance your weight and keep the body in a straight line.

"Grab the kettlebell in the left hand; pull up the elbow so that it is level with the abdomen. You want to begin moving in a rowing motion, lower the kettlebell to the ground, and continue rowing while in the plank position," according to the news provider.

BodyBuilding.com states that there's a kettlebell exercise for basically every muscle in the body that you're interested in toning. Just grab one of these exercise tools and get going!