As you know, regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. However, if you are just thinking about adding it into your daily routine, the high-intensity workouts that you are expecting can feel pretty intimidating. But high-intensity, sweat-drenched workouts are not the only options! You can still burn tons of calories and get your blood pumping with low-impact, joint-friendly exercises. Incorporating low-impact workouts into your lifestyle will protect your joints and muscles from injury, making exercise a lot more accessible thus helping you stick to a workout regimen.
Here are some of our favorite low-impact exercises.
Rowing
The rowing machine is one that always seems to be empty at the gym, so chances are you probably glossed over it too. However, rowing is a great way to tone your whole body without causing a lot of stress on your joints. To make the most out of your workout and to avoid overworking one body part, push through the majority of the stroke with your legs, and use only your arms to finish it. With the right amount of energy, rowing can burn more than 500 calories in an hour!
Elliptical training
This time, skip the treadmill for your daily dose of cardio. The elliptical takes the cake as it gives you all the muscle and calorie-burning benefits of a run without the injury or strain. Not only that but if you engage with the handles of the elliptical, you can also work your upper body in ways that the treadmill never could. Make sure to adjust the speed, resistance and incline so that you feel the burn the entire time.
Swimming
While the pool is certainly a wonderful place to relax and cool down during the summer, it is also a great place to burn some calories. Swimming helps you to get some cardio, but also will help you to build muscle strength as it engages all of your muscles. It is also a great way to relieve stress on the body, improve your flexibility, help with coordination, and heal some injuries. Plus, you can go through a myriad of different styles including the breaststroke, backstroke, sidestroke and freestyle to give your workout some variety.
Cycling
Cycling is one of the most convenient exercises because it can be done in a gym, in a cycling class and even outside! If your bike is properly fitted, you can get in some great cardio and tone your butt and legs without hurting your knees! If you can, we recommend outdoor cycling; riders exert about 25 percent more power when outdoors than indoors without realizing it.
Yoga
It’s an ancient practice that still holds its well-deserved name in health and wellness. Not only does yoga help build muscle strength and improve posture, but it can also prevent joint breakdown, protect your spine, increase your blood flow, boost immunity and maintain your nervous system. It’s a no-brainer!
Zumba
This Latin-inspired dance workout is gentle on the body as it does not require very much impact, but it truly torches calories! It’s great for your upper body, as you will be vigorously moving your arms and torso to the music. The best part is you may not even notice how hard you’re working out because you’re having so much fun!
Sources:
https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/count-yoga-38-ways-yoga-keeps-fit
https://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/a20429375/8-low-impact-exercise-workouts/
https://www.health.com/fitness/best-low-impact-workout-weight-loss#01-joint-friendly-low-impact-workout
https://greatist.com/fitness/take-it-easy-21-unexpected-low-impact-workouts
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/swimming-health-benefits
