How to keep your joints healthy

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When choosing what types of exercises you can do to build healthy joints, variety is critical. A right balance of flexibility, muscle strengthening, and aerobic exercises can help you maintain joint health. Great options include:

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• Flexibility exercises: This includes pilates, yoga, and other similar movements to help maintain a full range of motion.

• Low impact exercises. For low impact, you can take part in walking, swimming, and bicycling. These are easy to perform with little equipment.

• Stretching exercises. Stretching exercises should be done before and after strength or aerobic training for improved performance and safety.

• Weight training. Lifting weights strengthens muscles for improved joint stability. Remember to start light and work your way up to heavier amounts.

• Cardiovascular exercises. These movements should be started at low intensity. As you grow older, avoid high-impact training such as running on hard surfaces, step aerobics, or jumping rope.