Say "No" To ...

• Exercise helps you keep your flexibility and help maintain strong bones. However, you should engage in exercise that does not strain your joints. If you have arthritis in your hands and fingers, avoid exercises that require a tight grip. That includes bicycling. If the arthritis is in your knees, it's in your best interest not to play tennis, according to Revolutionhealth.com. If you have arthritis in your feet, running or jogging may not be an option.
  
  

Too Much Stress

• Some activities, such as running or competitive sports activities and aerobics put too much stress on joints and should be avoided, according to 6.aaos.org. High impact and repetitive movements aren't going to do your body any favors.
  
  

Don't Go Crazy

• Don't overdo it. Exercise moderately and consistently. If you get carried away and exercise too strenuously, you are going to do more damage than good. If you hurt terribly after exercising and the pain lasts for more than two hours you have exercised beyond your tolerance level. If the exercises that you are doing are making you sorer than normal, switch to another type of exercise.
  
  

Good Choices

• Exercise that is good for you, which, of course, depends on where your osteoarthritis is located and the degree of your affliction, includes bike riding, weight lifting and dancing. Swimming or "aqua-cise" classes, which are done in a pool, may help eliminate some of your osteoarthritis pain and will help keep you loosened up.
  
  

Ideas

• Keep your joints limber by doing range of motion exercises. Do low-impact aerobics or walk, wearing supportive shoes. This will keep your circulatory system, lungs and heart in good shape. Avoid high-impact, jarring exercises because they will wreak havoc on your damaged joints. Use exercises bands or hand weights when working out. This will increase the strength of your muscles, which can then better support your bad joints, according to Niams.nih.gov.
  
  

Assistive Devices

• If you are convinced that you can't exercise because your joints are too sore, consider using assistive devices and orthotics. Examples of assistive devices and orthotics include a cane, a crutch and braces and splints and arch supports or insoles in your shoes.
  
  

Ask Your Doc

• If you have osteoarthritis, ask your physician what she recommends in regard to exercise. The type of exercise that you choose, and how much and how often you do it, will depend on the severity of your condition and which joints have been affected by the osteoarthritis.