“Working out and going to the gym helped me regain my physical ability but also my confidence, energy and overall mental wellbeing.”
– Ryan Dekker, Young Adult Living with JA
As someone who grew up with an active lifestyle (and plenty of energy), finding a way to stay active with JA was both a crucial part of my recovery, and my day to day life. In the early days of my diagnosis, I struggled to maintain my physical health due to my stiffness and mobility issues. At 14 years old, I had to stop playing organized sports and often had to sit out in PE class. Though it was a rollercoaster ride, I stayed determined to find something that worked for me and my condition.
My first experience in the gym was in Grade 10, when I had reluctantly enrolled in a weight training class at my school. Little did I know that stepping into that gym was one of the best things that I could have done for my Arthritis. I had always been curious about weight training – but often felt too intimidated to get started, as I wasn’t sure how my body would handle it. I quickly found that there was something for everyone in the gym, no matter what physical condition you’re in, or what goals you may have.
After highschool and sports, the gym became an even larger part of my life. I found that it was the best option for me to keep active, given a full-time work schedule. This was when I crafted a routine that was manageable for my JA, and fit in with my other responsibilities as someone transitioning to adulthood. At first, I found it challenging to stay consistent and stick to a routine. Though once it became a habit, it’s been something I’ve made sure to incorporate in my schedule every week.
The saying “motion is lotion” couldn’t be truer for someone suffering from morning stiffness. As a teenager, I wasn’t too keen on the idea of stretching or doing yoga, but incorporating a warm-up routine that included some stretches has worked wonders for my mobility. I always found my symptoms worsened on the days when I chose to binge a Netflix series, versus the days I made an effort to go to the gym. When motivation and energy were low, I reminded myself that the only thing worse than a bad workout was no workout at all!
The gym was perfect for someone who still dealt with flare-ups and inflammation, as I learned to modify my workouts to fit in with how I was feeling. I adapted, improvised and improved my routine to make things easier on my body. If my back flared up, I focused on my upper body. If my hips were tight, I trained for mobility. If I felt fatigued, I mixed in some extra cardio to get the blood flowing. I found that there were also great resources available online for exercises/movements to target certain muscles/joints if I wanted to improve a certain area. Though I would push myself, I would be sure to only work in a range of motion that I was comfortable with. When it came time to incorporate some heavier weights, a weight training belt helped immensely by taking some pressure off of my lower back. Listening to my body, modifying movements and ensuring to rest when needed, were all keys for working out with Juvenile Arthritis.
Sticking to a gym routine brought major improvements not only to my physical health but more importantly, to my mental health. A workout never failed to clear my head after a long day of school or work. Over time, I also noticed that keeping active reduced fatigue, which allowed me to have more productive days overall. Working out and going to the gym helped me regain my physical ability, but also my confidence, energy and overall mental wellbeing.
The gym is where I learned how to improve both my physical and mental health alongside JA. I was able to make small daily improvements over the years, which has enabled me to accomplish things I previously would not have thought possible. This year, I ran my second half marathon with Team Cassie + Friends and completed a Gran Fondo (122km cycle from Vancouver to Whistler). Both times, my condition and how far I’ve come kept me motivated to get across the finish line.
This blog post was written by Ryan Dekker, a young adult living with Juvenile Arthritis and youth advocate in the Cassie + Friends community.
Hear from Ryan at our October 24 LIVE Webinar!
Ryan is passionate about the role that his gym workouts play in his overall disease management and is excited to share more about his journey at our upcoming ‘How to Gym With JA and Other Rheumatic Diseases: Workout Techniques, Modifications and More!’ happening on Tuesday, October 24 alongside our three expert medical speakers. We hope you’ll join us to learn more about how your child/you can safely and confidently hit the gym with JA in mind.
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