A common misconception about lifting weights (well, exercise in general) is that it will cause joint achiness and pain. When done with too much weight or with incorrect form, this is possible.
However, most of the time, the opposite is true!
The culprit of body aches, my friends, is inactivity.
You see, all moveable joints in our body contain synovial fluid, which is a thick liquid that acts as a cushion between the two bones of the joint, reducing friction.
When we don’t move for periods of time, that fluid volume is decreased, resulting in a joint that is not well-lubricated or protected.
This eventually leads to breakdown, calcification, pain, and osteoarthritis.
Healthy joints are well-oiled joints.
Regular movement replenishes lubrication to the cartilage of the joint and reduces stiffness and pain.
This is why it’s so helpful to get up every so often from your desk or couch, to move gently in the morning after lying in bed all night, and to incorporate mobility exercises into your exercise routine.
At Valeo, our main focus is on weight lifting to strengthen bones and muscle and to improve the health of your tendons and ligaments. As these get stronger, joints get stronger.
But, as icing on the (even more) awesome cake, we also weave joint mobility & stability exercises into all of our programming. And – if something doesn’t feel right or causes discomfort, you can be assured we’ll find smart alternatives so you can continue to move safely.
So, Becky,
Don’t fall prey to thinking joint discomfort is caused by too much activity. Most often, it’s lack of activity causing stiffness and achiness.
Whether it’s lifting weights, taking a walk, or simply flexing and extending your legs while seated to get that fluid pumping through your joints….Keep on movin’!
Jess & Team Valeo
