How to age well: supporting joint health through swimming

Having healthy joints is key to aging well. Optimal Aging Expert Julie Robinson reveals how swimming provides a low-impact way to support joint health and keep active as we get older

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You can’t have failed to notice that outdoor swimming has boomed in popularity in recent years. More people have been taking to the open water seeking a new way to stay healthy, a deeper connection with nature, and to forge new friendships. There’s no denying that swimming is a great tonic for the body, particularly for those looking for a joint-friendly activity that supports mobility as we age.

Get moving

It’s never too late to start moving – the sooner you begin, the stronger your future self will be.

Support in the water

Swimming is a low-impact, full-body workout that builds strength, supports heart and lung health and maintains joint mobility. The buoyancy of water reduces load and helps people move more freely, allowing for a full range of motion. And of course, swimming can be beneficial for mental wellbeing – something that’s so important as we age. Here are more ways to support your joints alongside swimming:

Joint care top tips!

• Gentle strength training: Get yourself some small weights or resistance bands for exercises to assist muscle strength.
  • Mobility/stability exercises: Try exercises that support the range of motion in your joints, such as squats and hip circles.
  • Warming up: Before entering cold water it’s important to warm up first. Try jogging on the spot, plus some arm swings and shoulder rotations.
  • Gradually build frequency/duration of swims: Swimming once a week is great, but could you gradually start swimming twice or even three times per week? And try extending your swim by 5-10 minutes each fortnight – you’ll soon start feeling the benefits!
  • A balanced lifestyle: Alongside your swimming, prioritise good sleep and a balanced diet for a more holistic approach to looking after your health.
  • Extra support for your joints: In addition to a balanced diet, try taking a supplement to help support your joint health.

A rose-hip supplement

While swimming, strength training, a balanced diet and quality sleep are all wonderful ways to maintain physical and psychological wellbeing, taking a supplement such as GOPO® Joint Health could help support joint health as we age.

GOPO® Joint Health* is made from 100% specially cultivated rose-hip (Rosa canina); rose-hip helps maintain healthy and flexible joints. It is the only product of its kind to contain a high level of GOPO®, a key component discovered over 30 years ago and studied in over 20 scientific studies. GOPO® Joint Health is also rich in Vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation for healthy bones and cartilage.

It’s easy to get hold of too – available in Boots, Amazon, Holland & Barrett, independent chemists and retailers. Find out more at gopo.co.uk.

So, yes, getting older is inevitable, but how we age is shaped by what we do today. Taking up swimming as your new long-term, joint-friendly habit will help pave the way to a more active, stronger, healthier, happier YOU. We urge you to take the plunge.

*Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet and health lifestyle.

Meet Julie Robinson

Meet Julie Robinson, an Optimal Aging Expert with decades of experience helping people stay active, confident and strong as they grow older. Julie believes that movement is one of the most powerful tools we have to support long-term health and she’s passionate about helping people discover that it’s possible at any age.

“It is no longer expected that you slow down in your later years,” says Julie. “It’s never been more important for people to prioritise joint health and keep active at any age.”

Aging is unavoidable, but the way we age is deeply influenced by the choices we make today. For those over 50, opting for low impact movement is more beneficial for supporting joint health.

“Low-impact exercises are kinder on joints,” says Julie. “Try incorporating swimming or cycling into your routine.”

Find out more about GOPO® Joint Health at gopo.co.uk