Osteoporosis Exercises
 People are often surprised that exercise is a frequently recommended form of osteoporosis prevention and treatment. Since the condition causes brittle bones, one would assume that exerting pressure and strain on bones would be a bad thing. Quite the contrary, however -- exercising can build bone density in people trying to prevent osteoporosis, and help to maintain density in people suffering from the condition. Of course, depending on the severity of the condition and overall health of the sufferer, different levels of exercise are recommended to avoid injury.
There are several types of osteoporosis exercises that are recommended specifically for people suffering from this condition to keep their bones as strong as possible:
- Weight-bearing exercises - These are exercises that put your weight in your legs and feet. These are the strongest bones in your body, and are usually the safest on which to put extra strain. Weight-bearing osteoporosis exercises include:
- Walking
- Hiking
- Dancing
- Stair climbing
- Resistance exercises - These exercises require you to push against another object, which can be great for focusing on arms with as little strain as possible. Resistance osteoporosis exercises that many health care professionals recommend include:
- Water aerobics and exercises
- Free weights or weight machines
- Tube resistance exercises
- Flexibility exercises - Along with improving bone density, flexibility osteoporosis exercises can improve mobility as well. Some exercises to consider are:
Before you begin osteoporosis exercises, it is important to consult with your health care provider to determine if you are healthy enough for exercise and which exercises will benefit you and your condition the most.
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