Stay in Motion
It’s the golden rule of joint health: The more you move, the less stiffness you’ll have. Whether you’re reading, working, or watching TV, change positions often. Take breaks from your desk or your chair and get active.

Safety First
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Safety First
Padding is your pal. So suit up when you do things like in-line skating or play contact sports. If your joints already ache, it might help to wear braces when you play tennis or golf.

Shed Some Pounds
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Shed Some Pounds
Your size affects some of the strain on your hips, knees, and back. Even a little weight loss can help. Every pound you lose takes 4 pounds of pressure off the knees. Ask your doctor what’s the best way for you to get started.

Don’t Stretch Before Exercise
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Don’t Stretch Before Exercise
Flexibility helps you move better. Try to stretch daily or at least three times a week. But don’t do it when your muscles are cold. Do a light warm-up first, like walking for 10 minutes, to loosen up the joints, ligaments, and tendons around them.

Go Low-Impact
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Go Low-Impact
Which exercise is good? The best choices are activities that don’t pound your joints, like walking, bicycling, swimming, and strength training.

Flex Some Muscle
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Flex Some Muscle
Get stronger to give your joints better support. Even a little more strength makes a difference. A physical therapist or certified trainer can show you what moves to do and how to do them. If you have joint problems, avoid quick, repetitive movements.