Exercising with arthritis
Why is exercise important for people with arthritis?
It can be hard to keep moving when you have arthritis but staying active can reduce your pain and help you to stay independent.
Getting started with exercise
Top tips for getting started with exercise that doesn't always need special equipment and that you can do at home.
Exercises for healthy joints
Exercises for your neck, shoulders, knees, back, hips, feet, ankles, toes, wrists and fingers to keep your joints healthy.
Full body stretching
Get your whole body moving with these 20-minute follow-along stretch routines, designed especially for people living with arthritis.
What type of exercise should I do?
It’s important to do a mixture of exercises when you have arthritis, including strengthening, stretching, fitness and balance activities.
How much exercise should I do?
Find out more about the physical activity guidelines for adults in the UK and how much exercise you should aim for.
Setting your activity goals
It might be helpful to set goals when you start moving more. Read more to find out how you can set yourself goals and measure your progress.
Arthritis UK Newsletter
Sign up to our monthly newsletter to find out the latest information on exercising with arthritis alongside other relevant Arthritis and MSK information
Let's Move for Surgery Toolkit
Let's Move for Surgery is packed with tailor-made, follow-along exercise routines for hip, shoulder and knee replacement, as well as full body workouts to help you maintain overall fitness.
Let's Move with Leon
Let’s Move with Leon is our 30 minute customised programme for people with arthritis who want to get active.
Resistance band workout sessions
Let's Move Resistance Band Workouts: three personal training sessions to help you strengthen upper and lower body.
Let’s Move FAQs
The programme is designed to find the level of movement that’s right for you and help you build confidence in your body.
Exercise sheets
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Knee pain
Information and exercises to help you manage knee pain (PDF, 309KB)
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Back pain
Information and exercises to help you manage back pain (PDF, 434KB)
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Neck pain
Information and exercises to help you manage neck pain (PDF, 486KB)
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Osteoarthritis
Information and exercises to help you manage osteoarthritis (PDF, 361KB)
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Ankle sprain
Information and exercises to help you manage ankle sprains (PDF, 281KB)
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Plantar fasciitis
Information and exercises to help you manage plantar fasciitis (PDF, 363KB)
Related information
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Keep moving - information booklet
This booklet provides information on what type of exercise is helpful, important and how to do it safely.
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Keep moving - exercise poster
The exercises within this poster will help you to stretch and strengthen your joints.
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Conditions
Search our A-Z of bone and joint conditions to discover more information about the types of arthritis.
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Order our information
Order or download information from our range of free booklets. These will help you to understand arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions and treatments.
Join our free online physical activity sessions
Join our Introduction to Physical Activity session to explore barriers to increasing your activity levels. We'll help you identify simple ways to incorporate more activity into your daily life.
You could also join our Chi Me gentle movement classes online. This gentle exercise is based on the principles of Tai Chi, with seated options available, making it perfect for all ages and abilities.