The Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) for Americans (2008) acknowledge that exercise is beneficial for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. PAG recommends that these individuals get at least 130 to 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (or a combination of the two). Additionally, they recommend doing strength and resistance training exercises at least two days a week and balance exercises three days per week.

ACSM also has recommendations for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. They include completing aerobic workouts 30 to 60 minutes per session five days a week, one set of resistance training exercises for major muscle groups twice a week, and general flexibility activities and exercises, including five to 10 sets of range of motion exercises per day.

The American College of Rheumatology also recommends getting 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, as well as doing five to 10 sets of range-of-motion stretches per day. For resistance training, they recommend eight to 10 exercises for each of the major muscle groups two to three times per week, with each exercise being done eight to 12 times (repetitions). Older adults may benefit more from using less resistance or weight and doing 10 to 15 repetitions.