Exercise and Gout: Staying Active Without Aggravating Symptoms

The inflammatory flare-ups that occur for those with gout can cause pain that makes movement uncomfortable—even walking around the house. Regular exercise is a necessary measure for overall health and joint function, but the challenge for those with gout is finding the right balance. Staying active without exacerbating symptoms is possible with the proper knowledge. We’ll answer how exercise can help gout and highlight, which types of exercise are best for those with the condition.

Does Exercise Help With Gout?

Staying active provides benefits for everyone, including individuals with gout. Physical activity can improve circulation and joint mobility, reducing stiffness and discomfort. Low-impact exercises can be particularly beneficial, allowing movement without putting excessive stress on the joints. Exercise also helps with weight management, which is important since excess weight can increase uric acid levels and contribute to gout attacks.

Can Exercise Trigger Gout Flare-Ups?

While exercise has many benefits, intense or high-impact activities may sometimes trigger gout flare-ups. Strenuous workouts can lead to dehydration and increased lactic acid buildup, both of which may elevate uric acid levels and potentially cause an attack. To minimize risks, individuals with gout should prioritize hydration, avoid overexertion, and incorporate proper warmups and cooldowns into their routines. But is exercise good for gout once you’re in an active flare-up? Gentle activity can help prevent your mobility from deteriorating but should be done only as tolerated.

Does Inactivity Affect Gout?

Yes, a sedentary lifestyle can negatively impact gout symptoms. Lack of movement can contribute to weight gain, poor circulation, and joint stiffness, all of which can exacerbate gout-related discomfort. While rest is helpful during a flare-up, engaging in consistent, gentle activity can help prevent future attacks and support overall joint health.

The Best Exercises to Help Manage Gout

The key to exercising with gout is choosing low-impact activities that help your mobility and cardiovascular health while minimizing joint stress.

• Walking: Simple and effective, walking is a great way to stay active without straining the joints. It can be done nearly anywhere as long as your mobility supports the effort.
• Swimming and Water Aerobics: Water exercises provide resistance while reducing impact on the joints. The buoyancy helps reduce joint stress, making exercise feel effortless while still challenging your muscles and cardiovascular system.
• Cycling: Both stationary and outdoor cycling improves cardiovascular health with minimal joint stress.
• Yoga and Stretching: These help with flexibility, stiffness, and relaxation.
• Strength Training: Light resistance exercises can help maintain muscle strength without excessive strain. They’re also beneficial for maintaining bone density as we age. 
• Juvent’s Micro-Impact Platform®: Technology has a place in our exercise routines as well. Our Micro-Impact Platform delivers soft vibrations that the machine calibrates to your unique body. Unlike high-impact exercises that may worsen symptoms, the platform provides gentle stimulation to help maintain joint health without unnecessary strain. It can be an excellent addition to a well-rounded gout management plan, and many people report it is something they rely on daily. 

How to Boost Success When Exercising With Gout

Always stay hydrated with exercise, especially if you have gout. Proper hydration helps flush out excess uric acid and supports overall joint health. Nutritional choices play a role in managing gout symptoms alongside exercise, so be mindful to avoid triggering foods like alcohol or red meats. Be sure to listen to your body, avoid pushing through pain, and modify exercises as needed. Give your body time to recover to prevent overuse and flare-ups.

Don’t Let Gout Stop You

If you are a person who lives with gout, choosing the right activities is a personal choice that should be made with your own body in mind. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, and activity should be prioritized but approached with care. Low-impact exercises, proper hydration, and tools like the Juvent Micro-Impact Platform can help you stay active while minimizing the risk of flare-ups. You can live a balanced life with gout when you focus on mobility, joint health, and overall well-being as part of your everyday life.

FDA Disclosure

In the US, the Juvent device is considered investigational for the treatment of osteoporosis or improvement/maintenance of bone mineral density and our claims have not been reviewed or cleared by the FDA to treat any disease or condition. (2) Calculated over the 20+ year expected life of a Juvent. The JUVENT® Micro-Impact Platform® is Registered as a Class I medical device for exercise and rehabilitation. JUVENT products are covered by the following issued patents, pending patents and their foreign equivalents: 6,843,776 6,884,2277,094211 7,207,954 7,207,955 7,985,191 8,114,036 11/369,611 11/486,538. Juvent, Dynamic Motion Therapy, Micro-Impact Platform, and the symbol are Registered trademarks of Regenerative Technologies Corporation.