What exercise is good for someone with hypermobile joints?

[YouAreAMouseInAMaze]

I have some hypermobile joints, definitely in my hands, wrists and knees and probably elsewhere too. I want to exercise for relaxation (stressful job) and also to tone a bit and generally keep in shape - I don't need to lose a lot of weight or anything.

I used to go to yoga classes until someone told me it was bad for hypermobile people. I do Pilates sometimes, which I like but it gets a bit dull after a while. I enjoy running but worry that it could damage my joints. If I do any action where I lift my knees up high, I get a pain right in the joint of my hip afterwards.

My GP doesn't seem to know very much about it. Should I go to a physio or something?

I'm hypermobile and was referred for physio which was fantastic. (If you can get it! )

Basically what I learned is that its really important to build up the strength in your joints before you start doing too much cardio... So weight training really. Cycling is really good as is the cross trainer but running is pretty much a no go. Also breast stroke is really bad. Yoga is OK as long as you don't over stretch, especially if you can hyperextend your knees, pilates is much better as it is really important to have a strong core to support the rest of your body.

I started off using mostly the weight machines in the gym and then they introduced more and more cv as I got stronger, with lots of planks in as well.

Hope that helps!

I do Pilates (and Yoga although I've heard the same) My BF daughter has EDS (extreme form of hypermobility) and she benefits from hydrotherapy, so maybe swimming or aquarobics would be worth trying.

It is hard to find GPs who 'get' hypermobility. I was only diagnosed after I saw a specialist following a car accident, and BFs daughter was only diagnosed with EDS because she knew about my issues and could recognise similar issues with her DD. It is getting better known, but it's slow going.

I have this too, and see a physio and a podiatrist about it. I only got diagnosed after a running injury in my feet.

Basically, it all comes down to strength training for me - in my case it's about doing lots of squats and lunges to strengthen my legs so my joints don't wobble that much. I do pilates too as that helps build strength.