A good workout doesn’t have to include jumping or jogging to be effective.
In fact, high impact exercises can be jarring on the body or joints, placing you at greater risk of injuries. If it’s right for you, low impact exercises can improve your fitness and health, without causing harm to your joints.
Who benefits from these types of exercises? People managing with painful knees, back problems and other chronic conditions find this a way to get fit without risking an injury. Not only that, they can help you lose weight, improve your cardiovascular health, and improve your mood.
What is low impact exercise?
It’s important to remember that ‘low impact’ doesn’t equate to less effort, or low intensity. Exercises that are gentle on your body and joints, or are performed in a fluid motion, are considered low impact. Though this can be less strenuous, low impact exercises can be adjusted to suit all fitness levels – they’re also called “no-impact” exercises because they don’t involve the use of force or impact. Some examples include walking through water, swimming, spinning and yoga.
Low impact routines
Opting for low impact exercise can be a good alternative after an injury or illness. It’s a great way to get moving and maintain your fitness without placing stress on your joints. It can also be a good starting-point if you are new to exercise and, perhaps most helpful of all, it’s generally suitable during pregnancy. A low impact routine is also beneficial for people who suffer from chronic pain and those with pre-existing conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia
There are plenty of options for low impact exercise, but some of the most popular include:
- Walking
- Dancing
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Tai Chi
What are the benefits of low impact exercise?
Alongside injury prevention, many forms of low impact exercises focus on developing flexibility and improving strength or balance. These are important for maintaining a healthy and active body. Low impact exercise can also be used as an active recovery from high intensity activities. Working out wisely is a great way to improve your physical and mental health. It can strengthen and tone muscles, increase endurance, improve balance and joint flexibility, and boost the immune system.
And, of course, don’t forget to book in for a check up with a physiotherapist or chiropractor here at Sundial.