When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, getting fit and into shape is usually at the top of the list. Unfortunately, for those men and women who suffer from joint aches and pains, the road to becoming more physically fit can be challenging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, joint pain is one of the most common complaints among Americans. In fact, about 10 percent of U.S. women and 7 percent of U.S. men say they suffer from severely painful joints. Fortunately there are ways to get around the pain and enjoy a healthy physical life.

Choosing fitness and exercise as a New Year’s resolution may seem impossible for joint pain sufferers, but a lack of exercise may actually cause joints to become even more painful and stiff. When you exercise, you strengthen the muscles around the joint, which helps relieve stress and builds flexibility and endurance. However, as with any exercise program, moderation is the key to a safe and successful experience.

The following guidelines and low-impact exercises are ideal for those who wish to help alleviate joint pain:

• To prevent any injuries from occurring in the joints, it is important to maintain strength in the muscles surrounding the joint area and stretch properly before working out. Tight or stiff muscles around a joint will make the area more prone to injury.

• Lower impact exercises, like yoga and dance, which are range-of-motion exercises, are the best form of exercise for people with joint pain. These exercises increase flexibility, relieve stiffness and maintain normal joint movement and should be done daily. Be sure to use gentle, gradual movements, not jerky ones, to minimize the risk of further injuries and/or pain.

•To make sure your exercise routine is beneficial to your joints, put a hot pack on the joints you’ll be working out for approximately 20 minutes before you exercise. This will help to relax your joints and relieve pain before you begin. Once you have completed your workout, apply a cold pack to those same joints for 10-15 minutes to reduce any swelling or pain.

Exercise is very important for individuals with joint pain because it will help keep joints flexible, the muscles around the joints strong and healthy and reduce pain. More importantly, it will improve the overall quality of life for pain sufferers. Soon, getting back into shape will be a way of life and not just a New Year’s resolution.