Water exercise is often recommended for arthritis patients since it strengthens muscles while putting less stress on joints. Swimming, water exercise classes and walking in chest deep water are often recommended for arthritis patients. A study published in the January 2008 Physical Therapy compared the use of a land based versus water based exercise program for patients with knee arthritis. Both types of therapy proved to be helpful for knee arthritis patients, however knee pain levels were significantly less and knee flexibility significantly greater in the patients receiving the water exercise program.

Use of regular or stationary bicycle is also often recommended to knee arthirtis patients since they put less stress in the knee than walking or jogging,