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Knee arthritis can make every step feel risky, especially if you’re already dealing with back issues or a fusion. This article breaks down what a huge 2025 study found about the best exercises for knee arthritis and how to use low-impact cardio, strength, and balance work to move with more confidence.

Knee arthritis can make every step feel risky, especially if you’re already dealing with back issues or a fusion. This article breaks down what a huge 2025 study found about the best exercises for knee arthritis and how to use low-impact cardio, strength, and balance work to move with more confidence.

Most women are told to watch the scale, but after 40 there’s another number that may matter even more: grip strength. Researchers now use handgrip strength as a simple way to spot early muscle loss (sarcopenia), which is linked to falls, fractures, and loss of independence. For women in perimenopause and beyond, a quick grip test can reveal how fast your muscles are aging – and even give you a hint about how ready your body is to train on any given day.

When Barbara first walked into Crunch Fitness Steele Creek, she wasn’t sure she belonged. A 60-year-old cancer survivor facing osteopenia and a fear of the gym, she decided to take one small step that changed everything. Through personalized coaching, smart strength training, and a supportive community, Barbara rebuilt her confidence, balance, and strength — proving it’s never too late to start.

Being “cardio-fit” doesn’t guarantee a healthy spine. High-mile running can load the back with up to ~5× bodyweight per foot strike, and road cycling often locks the low back into sustained flexion—both can aggravate discs, especially with poor mechanics. Add “pretty good” nutrition that misses protein/micros and long sessions without electrolytes, and recovery stalls. Here’s how to rebuild a spine-healthy plan with smart strength, mobility, technique, and hydration.