5 Strategies to Maintain Strong & Healthy Joints

No matter your age, joint health matters. Even more so if you train regularly. Joint pain can hinder your progress and even prevent you from working out. There are plenty of great ways to keep your joints strong and healthy, so you can maintain your active lifestyle for many years to come. Here are 5 things you can do to improve your joint health.

1 - Keep Moving

Stay active to keep your joints healthy. Exercise strengthens the muscles, tendons and ligaments that surround your joints. When these are strong and healthy, your joints are more stable and less prone to injury. If you work at a desk job, be sure to get up and move around periodically. Being active also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which is another way to reduce wear and tear on your joints. Take the stairs rather than the elevator, and walk or bike instead of driving when you can.

2 - Embrace Strength Training

Resistance training is a great way to maintain strong joints. As well ass keeping the muscles around your joints strong, working out with weights helps keep your joints lubricated and combats bone loss. The best weight exercises to keep your joints strong are free weights. So if you enjoy using machines to isolate muscle groups, try to mix things up by incorporating some dumbbells too. This will help improve your joint stability. You’re not just building killer muscles by lifting, you’re also giving your joints a boost. Even people who already suffer from joint pain can benefit from strength training, though you should consult a medical professional first if this is the case for you. 

3 - Avoid Overtraining

While it’s important to incorporate strength training into your fitness regimen for optimal joint health, it’s equally important not to overdo it. When your workout is more intense than you are able to properly recover from, you could be doing more harm than good. If you still feel very sore 48 hours after your workout, you could be overtraining (and potentially causing injury to your joints).

If you are fatigued from working out too much, you are also more likely to cause injury to your joints from using poor technique. Rest days are just as important as training days, so make sure to use them wisely. If you still want to get active on a rest day, go for a nice walk instead of hitting the gym. 

4 - Use Proper Technique

You already know that using good form is a vital part of achieving the muscle definition and growth you want. It’s also important for keeping your joints healthy. If you aren’t sure whether you’re lifting properly, you may want to consult a personal trainer to keep you on track. Aim to lift evenly, without favouring one side or the other. Good posture goes a long way toward keeping your joints in good working order, too. Keep your back straight always, whether you’re at the gym or sitting at your desk.

5 - Supplement Your Joints

All the weight loss strategies in the world won’t help if your joints are keeping you from getting a good workout. One of the best ways to ensure your joints are healthy is to take supplements that support them. We stock an excellent range of supplements designed specifically to support joint health.

Best supplements for healthy joints

Collagen

Collagen is become popular as a supplement for a multitude of reasons. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, and is responsible for healthy joints, bones, skin and hair. Taking a collagen supplement will help maintain strong joints, especially if you live an active lifestyle. 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s are a powerful weapon in the fight against joint damage. They can help reduce inflammation and pain, and can help you maintain joint mobility. People who take Fish Oil supplements or eat a lot of fatty fish tend to have less morning stiffness and healthier joints overall. 

Glucosamine

Glucosamine can help to lubricate joints and reduce pain. Taking a glucosamine supplement is particularly beneficial to athletes and active people who work their joints harder than most. It can also help reduce the symptoms of arthritis. 

Chondroitin

Chondroitin is a vital part of cartilage. Taking chondroitin can prevent cartilage from breaking down, as well as encourage it to repair. This is great news for people who suffer from joint pain. Chondroitin is often combined with Glucosamine for maximum effect. 

MSM

MSM is a popular joint health supplement among elite athletes, due to its ability to assist with joint pain and muscle recovery. MSM provides structural support for connective tissues.

Cissus Extract

Cissus extract supports healthy bones, ligaments, and joints. It can have anti-inflammatory effects, reducing or preventing pain and swelling.

Capzea

Made from natural oils and extracts, Capzea is used externally to help relieve joint and muscle aches.

The Elite Supps family of joint support supplements are all formulated to help you stay strong and flexible, so you can see consistent gains from your hard work and prevent injury from holding you back