Exercise for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common bone disease that often develops in women. It is known as the thinning of bone tissue and the loss of bone density as an adult grows older. Current research studies have shown that one out of five women have developed osteoporosis by the age of 50.

To prevent from further bone loss, it is recommended that those diagnosed with the disease do special exercises. These types of special exercises include weight bearing, resistance and flexibility. If an individual does exercises for osteoporosis, it will help develop healthy bones, prevent injury and build endurance.

There are a variety of weight-bearing exercises to build stronger bones. These include exercises such as

• walking
• hiking
• dancing
• stair climbing

You can introduce a regimen of walking into your daily lifestyle by starting out slowly such as walking around a block or two of your home. As you build more confidence and strength, you can increase your walks by a block or two more. Bring a friend so that you have someone to talk with!

One of the best kinds of exercise for thinning bones is resistance exercises. It includes using free weights or weight machines in your home or local fitness center. You can also do water exercises too. Movements that you perform in the water will encourage your muscles to work harder.

Browse for small hand weights in your local retail or health store. You can also sign up for swimming classes at your local civic center or YMCA. Find classes for adults that are close to your age. You just might find someone else who is suffering from osteoporosis.

To prevent yourself from further injury, try flexibility exercises. Some types of flexibility exercise for osteoporosis includes daily regular stretching, T'ai chi and Yoga. Look or ask around in your area for health centers that offer beginner's classes on Yoga. You can also find instructional videos and books that will help you learn different stretches and movements. New gaming consoles, such as the Wii, offer games (Wii Sports) that include stretches and Yoga movements that you can do from the comfort of your home and television screen.

If you are worried about your safety when completing osteoporosis exercises, you can always talk to your doctor before beginning any new daily regimen. Ask for your doctor's advice about which types of exercises will work best for you.

Osteoporosis may be a common disease, but it is something to be concerned and careful with. You must take extra care of your body and your bones since they are not as strong as they used to be.

With simple daily exercise, you can begin to build back up some of your strength, so that you can prevent further injury to your bones and muscles. Always speak with your doctor before trying any new exercises or treatment.

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