Using weights

Hi Thank you for taking the time to ask this important question, and share your experiences. I use exercise bands given to me by my physical therapist and they do work. However, with any exercise consistency is key and I've often regressed in my progress from not being consistent sometimes due to things out of my control i.e. flares, surgery, or life in general. But I've learned to not be hard on myself, or at least try not to be, and pick it up again. I do lift some weights but nothing massive at the gym because my hands/wrists. Though I know many who do and they wear protective wrist and hand braces to help protect their hands while weight lifting. If that's something you want to do I suggest consulting with an occupational therapist to guide you and work with a trainer specializing in helping those with chronic illnesses/mobility issues. The pool has been amazing for me and I find when I do hit that slump.. getting back in the pool gets me to my goals faster. Something about the water is super healing and helps the muscles.

https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/muscles-strength-training
https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/forums/efficacy-of-swimming
https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/stories/benefits-of-swimming
https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/stories/benefits-of-swimming
https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/joint-friendly-summer-activities

Hi . I just posted some information for you under your other question about hands, including what my wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), does for hers. Let me say here that the pool is absolutely Kelly's go to for exercise, including with weights. She does water walking with ankle weights and also uses them on her wrists for some arm exercises. In addition she uses foam dumbbells for exercise using the resistance of the water. Also, Kelly just started some exercise sessions with a person specializing in working with the disabled. He has her using mostly bands. We've even figured out a way for her to use a rowing machine (for the first time yesterday, so still a work in progress). Kelly has used a wheelchair since her teens, but does some special online classes like wheelchair boxing and Zumba. My main point is that it is possible to continue to get good exercise and it is great that you are trying to find a way. Best, Richard (Team Member)

Suggestion for Resistance Bands for Therapy.
My husband mounted a board on the wall that I could clip my bands onto. It really helped me!
Here’s what he did:
1. Mounted a 6ft 2x4 vertically into the studs using “lag bolts”. For us this was easiest right next to the trim of a doorway, where it is already reinforced. He mounted it just a few inches above the floor boards.
2. Placed “screw eyes” in 12” increments up the board. We started at the bottom, measuring to my ankle height.
3. I hooked “carabiner” clips into a slip knot on the various colors/strengths of Resistance Bands my PT had given. Use the carabiners to hook onto screw eyes at appropriate heights. You can use them near the floor, waist or shoulder height, etc as needed.

BTW - here’s the color code for Theraband brand. You can do a web search for “Theraband colors meaning” for more details. I suspect, but don’t know, that other brands use similar coding.
In general, from lightest to strongest resistance
Yellow 💛
Red ❤️
Green💚
Blue💙
Black🖤
Silver 🩶
Gold⭐️