According to World Health Organization (WHO) experts, a third of the world's population will at some point face issues due to pressure on the joints. And, unfortunately, incorrect or too much exercise can significantly increase the risk of joint issues. ## What is good for joints? __Swimming__ This is an almost ideal form of physical activity, suitable for almost everyone: water supports body weight and relieves stress on the joints, while at the same time helping muscles and tendon ligaments work properly. __Bike riding__ The back, knees, hips, and ankles don’t become overly stressed during training since our legs don’t hit the ground or take on body weight. At the same time, the movements are cyclical—as in rowing or kayaking—so the load, although sufficient for the development of the joints, is still not serious enough to damage them. __Water aerobics__ Despite the fairly intense load, water aerobics do not put much pressure on the joints thanks to water support and therefore are suitable even for people who already have joint problems. The important thing, however, is to monitor the temperature of the water: hypothermia can lead to inflammatory processes. __Skiing__ During a ski trip, the load on the legs joints is even less than when walking, which is due to sliding movements. But it is important to remember that at an older age skiing can be dangerous due to possible falls. __Pilates, yoga, stretching__ All these types of fitness are static: they enhance spine mobility and develop ligaments and tendons while at the same time not loading the joints. Additionally, yoga and pilates help improve the condition of the joint capsule and thereby prevent the development of arthrosis. ## What is dangerous for joints? First of all, monotonous and intense loads of any kind should be avoided. __Running__ We noted above that with proper load distribution, running can be not only safe but also beneficial for joint health. However, if you neglect your safety equipment, run on improperly paved trails, wear the wrong footwear, or run professionally for results, your knee joints can get seriously damaged. __Football__ Osteoarthritis is a kind of "professional" disease of football players. The risk of developing the disease for football players is 3-7 times higher than the average person. __Weightlifting__ Besides the increased load that the knee joints receive directly during training, it is worth mentioning the so-called delayed risk: after the termination of training, former athletes typically gain weight, which increases the likelihood of developing joint diseases.