Research has shown that regular exercise activity can help reduce pain, swelling and stiffness of arthritis. However, a new study suggests that the majority of 46 million arthritis sufferers in the United States are not getting enough – or any – exercise. The Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine released a study that shows only 13 percent of men and 8 percent of women afflicted with various forms of arthritis meet federal guidelines of 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity, low-impact activity per week. Either these people are not aware of benefits of physical activity, or they are afraid it will exacerbate their symptoms says Beaufort fitness experts. However, a well-planned Beaufort fitness program will bring them a measure of comfort and relief from all the pain and stiffness.

Beaufort personal trainers point out that exercise will benefit arthritis sufferers in a number of ways. It will help maintain a normal range of movement, improve muscle strength and flexibility, and keep bones and all the tissue around them stronger. Another major benefit of a regular exercise or Beaufort fitness routine is that it will help with weight loss and maintenance. That is very important because according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 66 percent of adult arthritis patients in the U.S. are overweight or obese.

Obesity is a known risk factor in the onset of arthritis and the subsequent deterioration of this condition. That’s because carrying the extra weight strains and tears the joints, so maintaining a healthy weight is a must – not only for arthritis relief, but also for prevention of heart disease and diabetes. This call to action is all the more pressing because the CDC says that, by 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans adults will likely have some form of arthritis – 20 million more people than present figures.

At EarthFIT, we recommend that arthritis sufferers who have been inactive but want to start exercising first seek their doctor’s permission. Then, ask a Beaufort fitness professional to create a program for you, taking into account the type of arthritis you suffer from, which joints are impacted, and the amount of inflammation you have. Working with a certified Beaufort personal trainer ensures that your program is not only effective, but also safe.

For example, flexibility exercises will increase your ability to move your joints through their full range. Strength training will build strong muscles that help support and protect the joints. There are numerous other exercises as well that will reduce your pain and stiffness, and improve your overall Beaufort fitness level at the same time.

Ian Hart is a Body-Mind Transformation expert, the creator of EarthFIT Training Systems, co-creator of BACK PAIN RELIEF4LIFE, and founder of BEAUFORTPERSONALTRAINING.COM and MYBACKPAINCOACH.COM. Ian and his team help people get into optimal shape in the safest, fastest and most effective way possible, using cutting edge science.

Love and marriage may be good for the soul, but when it comes to physical fitness, many couples tend to find themselves living in sickness rather than in health. Those are the findings of a British study commissioned by the Department of Health suggesting that married people exercise much less than their single counterparts. This research was carried out in England, but we see the same patterns in this country, in our state, as well as in our town says Beaufort personal trainers and Beaufort fitness experts. In fact, several previous studies, including one from the University of North Carolina, have shown that married couples are twice as likely to become obese due to their inactivity.

So let’s delve into this: why are so many married people less physically active than singles? One of the reasons cited by the study is that, for some people, getting married and settling down means “I can let myself go!”. Being in great shape may not seem as important to them anymore some Beaufort personal trainers say. Another reason, researchers say, is that married people lead busy lives focused on work and family obligations. When leisure time is limited, physical fitness becomes less important; it takes a back seat.

However, no matter how hectic our lives are and how many responsibilities we juggle every day, we can still find time to fit in some form of exercise or Beaufort fitness programs into our schedule. Too often people fall into the trap of thinking that just because they are busy, they have no time to exercise and train with Beaufort personal trainers. But all it takes is motivation, creativity, and planning. At EarthFIT, we suggest to get busy married couples moving and shaking:

Make fitness a priority: Being married is no excuse for slacking off. Just because you are in a committed relationship now doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look and feel great – if not for yourself, then for your man or lady.

Plan: Schedule your workout sessions ahead of time with your Beaufort personal trainer, just as you would any other important appointment. As the saying goes, “failing to plan is planning to fail”.

Include your spouse: If you complain about the lack of quality time with your significant other, go on ‘Beaufort fitness dates.’ There is a great motivational aspect to exercising as a team. Ask a Beaufort personal trainer to show you some exercises that couples can do together.

Choose wisely: If your time is limited, ask a Beaufort fitness instructor or a Beaufort personal trainer to demonstrate the most time-efficient, structured total-body workout that includes essentials such as cardio and strength training.

Have fun: Don’t look at exercise as a chore or a burden on your time, but as a positive, bonding experience with your partner. You will get healthier and fitter without sacrificing quality couple time.