Need suggestions for low impact tapes!! (for RA sufferer!)

Denise R

Denise R

Cathlete
Hi,

I recently was diagnosed with Rheumotoid Arthritis. I am needing suggestions for really good low impact tapes that I can use that will keep my fitness level up where it is now. (I am an int/adv exerciser) Any suggestions would be appreciated. Any Charlene Prickett fans? I would be willing to do some good trades for some of her low impact tapes. (CIA 9809 Kickbox Express, CIA 9808-2 workouts with Sherry Catalin) These are too high impact right now. Thanks for any suggestions anyone could provide. Also if anyone has RA and has any suggestions for me, let me know. I don't get to see a specialist until 2/1/01. Thanks Cathe friends!!

Denise
 
Denise, I have no suggestions, just saying I'm sorry you have to face this. It sounds like something of a setback for someone who has really been on a roll with her progress fitness-wise. I've enjoyed reading your rotations and about your results.

Hope you are feeling okay and it sounds like you are working hard to come up with a plan to work around your new condition. Is it just high-impact you have a difficult time with? I ask because I have found lately that I have had to modify nearly everything I do these days to low impact. I used to work out on concrete (ugh!) and recently moved my workout area upstairs, however my knees have been protesting lately so I've been working on taking care of them.

I'm sorry I can't be of any help, just wanted to say I hope you find some solutions and can continue to enjoy working out, I know how much it means to you.

Take care,
Sophie
 
Thanks Sophie! I have been feeling tweaks for awhile in my ankles and knees. A couple of weeks ago I began having lots of pain in all my joints, even my shoulders. Then on a Sunday I woke up 7 pounds heavier and all my joints were swollen/inflammed. (even my face was slightly swollen) I chalked it up to maybe an allergic reaction or a virus. When the swelling didn't go down, I finally went to my doctor. He thought "maybe a virus" but he wanted to test for RA. He then called me last Monday with the diagnosis. My hands, fingers, wrists, knees and ankles take the brunt of it. I am determined to NOT let me down. Hubby and I are starting the Body for Life based program this coming Sunday, 12/31. I am determined to complete the program and reach all my goals. I'll try to keep everyone posted. I wanted to try some good low impact tapes to add variety and keep the pressure off my joints. I think I am going to buy a couple good books on the condition and read up on how I can better myself naturally (along with the doctor's assistance of course) Thanks again for all your concern. If you continue having problems, see your doctor. I recently read that up to 1 in 6 family's are affected with RA. The diagnosis only takes a blood test. Also make sure to get new shoes often. I don't go past 12 weeks without a new pair. MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! God bless

Denise
 
So sorry to hear about what you have to deal with, what a shock that must have been. But I'll bet that being in good shape help your body tremendously, having good muscle strength and a strong immune system and all.

One cardio tape I love, even though it's short, is the Crunch Fatblaster Plus tape with Tracy York. It's interval cardio, no stepping, just hi/lo but she has a woman in the front row do the whole thing low impact, even the intervals. Now, I've done it that way on really bad asthma days and on days when I was just too pooped to go all out but I wanted something worthwhile, and even done all low impact it's very effective. The whole thing is only about 30 minutes, start to finish, but the moves are really fun, the music is cool and Tracy is a great teacher. I first saw her on ESPN Fitness Pros and always liked her style. So this is one I do sometimes just for fun.
 
Hi Denise,
I am sorry to hear what you are going through. My grandmother sufferd from RA and I know this is a very painful disease.
As far as tapes go, I have Charlene's Low Impact/High Intensity. It is a pretty good tape-- very basic moves, but she does not stick with any routine for very long so it moves pretty quickly and is effective at getting your heart rate up. I cannot recommend any other Charlene tape: others that I had used pretty much the same moves and had kind of crummy production values. For me, one Charlene tape was enough.
Kathy Smith's Cardio Fat Burner is mostly low impact and a pretty good workout. Her kickboxing workout is pretty much all low impact also. The NAC tapes-are totally low impact (Measured Intensity) or show low impact modifications (Interval Challenge).
I understand these tapes are not as intense as Cathe's, but they can give a good workout.
I have not tried Tae Bo, but I have heard some say that these are very easy to modify to low impact.
Good luck.
 
Thanks everyone for all your kind words and advice. I am just going to have to monitor myself and maybe take some of the tapes I have and MODIFY, MODIFY, MODIFY! I have done that recently and have kept all the jumps, etc out but kept it pretty intense. I am hoping that will work so I can continue on my "making myself over" journey. I am sure if I lost a few more pounds that would help tremendously with the joint pain/inflammation. I have modified my new year rotation and I think I'll do okay. I will keep everyone posted. THANKS AGAIN!!

Denise
 
So sorry to hear of your condition. I am not sure if these are low impact enough but have you tried Kari Anderson's Great Moves United Steps or Kari Anderson's Body Tech? The aerobics sections are fairly modifiable to low impact. Compared to Cathe's cardio work outs they are a walk in the park. Good luck - hang in there...
 
I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I feel a little of your pain in that I have been dealing with patella femoral syndrome (pain all around patella/kneecap) for the past year and a half and have had a rough time trying to find tapes that are challenging yet LO IMPACT.

This past week has been harder than usual for me so had to tone it down a lot and I noticed while attempting a low impact version of IMAX that the woman on the back left side of Cathe is doing pretty low impact. Which is inspiring for me!

best wishes,
Kelli

ps. I don't know if you want to try supplements as treatment, such as MSM or Glucosamin w/ chondroitin, but I have found that MSM offers some relief. (either it really does, or it's all in my head, either way, whatever works!) Plus, there are all sorts of alternative remedies (accupressure, accupuncture, food, herbal, etc), you might do some web research, there's a lot of information out there!
 
Possible RA relief

Denise,
I'm not a RA sufferer, but I did want to share that a colleague of mine has been diagnosed with RA for about 2 years. She was having to take a lot of sick days (2 or 3 days a month) due to pain and swelling. This summer her doctor recommended that she cut out meat (but still eat lots of fish) and dairy. And she hasn't completely cut out meat and dairy, but keeps it to a minimum. Since she's done that, she's had no flare-ups and has been able to keep exercising. (Tae-bo is her preferred method of exercise.)

Lucy K
 
More ideas

Karen Voight's Smooth Moves is a nice low impact cardio, plus light weight toning section after.

Also, I do like Charlene Prickett and I like Start Your Engines for low impact and More Muscle, Less Fat--which, like Smooth Moves starts with 30 min of low impact cardio then goes to a weight routine. Good luck!! Murph
 
A Suggestion..Take it or Leave It

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jan-16-01 AT 09:53AM (Est)[/font][p]Denise -

As usual, the Educated Crowd has come through, but I have one more suggestion. If you haven't already tried this one, it may be worth a look - Kathy Smith's "Great Buns & Thighs Step Workout." Although I am an avid Cathe fan, this is one video (of all the "easier," pre-Cathe videos I've given away/donated) that I still can't bear to part with.

What I like about this video is that her concentration on buns and thighs (the large muscles that get the heart-rate going, right?) gives a more intense (but definitely low impact) workout than you might otherwise expect. If you want other opinions, you might want to check the VF forums. I'd be happy to loan it to you if you want to preview it.

Some of my grandparents, and one dear, dear uncle had/has RA. I think you are way ahead of the game beacuse you have been exercising. Hang in there and keep us posted.

JanetH
 
I have Gilad's step and tone....it's all low impact step and very easy choreography, but still a good solid workout because he incorporates hand weights the entire workout, which can really get the heart rate up there. He also has some isolation exercises at the end. I still do this one if I have sports injuries and can't jump around for awhile. It's an old tape, but for some reason I still really like it even though its basic stuff.
CIA 9701, Donna Read's Step, is low impact. The few propulsion moves she has are EASILY modified. But it's a full 60 minutes with fun choreography, although not difficult.
 
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