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Osteoarthritis is a progressive joint condition that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling, which makes movement more difficult.

While it’s often referred to as “wear and tear,” osteoarthritis affects millions of people, leading to limitations in everyday activities. Fortunately, with clinical exercise, you can manage symptoms, restore function, and take control of your health. Osteoarthritis affects close to 10 million people in the UK, 6 million of whom are female. Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, the most common joints affected by osteoarthritis are the knees, hips, small joints in the hand, neck and lower back.

Exercise for osteoarthritis

The Arthritis Foundation and NHS recommend exercise as the most effective non-drug treatment for managing osteoarthritis. Not only does exercise reduce pain, but it also improves joint mobility, restores strength, and has no harmful side effects. In addition, exercise helps with weight management, balance, and mental well-being, all of which are important for reducing pain and improving quality of life.

Recommended exercise types for osteoarthritis

Cardiovascular exercise

Regular movement that increases your heart rate, including walking, swimming and cycling, is important to reduce joint pain and stiffness, increase flexibility and maintain mobility. These factors are vital for improved joint function and maintaining independence.

Strength

Exercises that use body weight, resistance bands or weights build muscular strength and endurance to improve the overall stability of your joints. This can also help improve joint function and reduce the risk of degradation of cartilage in the joint. Some examples may include sit to stands, seated row and deadlifts.

Balance

Changes to joint function and pain may cause issues with stability and overall balance. Balance exercises, including yoga, single leg stance or heel-to toe walking, can improve joint stability, strengthen supporting muscles, improve posture and reduce overall falls risk.

Kind words from our clients

"Aged 85, I was referred to Longevity Health & Fitness by my Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine to arrange for a personal trainer to help me with strengthening & conditioning exercises. Using the exercises & plan she has chosen for me, I am making remarkable progress. Emma is an excellent trainer and I would certainly recommend her. She is kind and patient, explains everything clearly, and has helped me through. Thank you!"
Seymour (85)

How we can help

Don’t let osteoarthritis hold you back. Take the first step toward improved mobility and reduced pain with our bespoke exercise solutions. Our Exercise Physiologist team are experienced in working with people to improve their strength, fitness and mobility while managing and improving osteoarthritis symptoms.

Our process

Initial consultation & assessment 

This is where the process starts. Here we will conduct a full medical history, assess your current movement and baseline exercise levels. Once the consultation is complete, we will set your goals together and create your personalised plan.

Personalised exercise plan 

We will then design an exercise plan specific to you, your needs and goals, which you will be guided through in your 1:1 sessions. We will also provide home exercises to keep up with between sessions to help support your progress with your plan.

One-to-one / 1:1 sessions

Our 1:1 sessions will guide you through structured sessions, capturing all key areas of your fitness to help meet your goals. Sessions can be adapted to how you feel, your symptoms, and further injuries or health considerations.

Independent exercise support

Your assigned exercise professional will provide feedback and home exercise support for you to complete between your 1:1 sessions. This will help accelerate your progress and work towards making sustainable, long-term progress.