Great Low Impact Exercises

Do you want to get a good workout without putting too much stress on your joints? Here are five of the most effective low impact exercises to help you stay in shape without risking any damage to your body:

Walking
Walking may not strike you as a particularly rigorous exercise but there are endless variations that can make it as heart-pumping as many forms of high impact activity. A few suggestions: try interval training (in which you intersperse bursts of speed-walking with regular-paced walking), walk stairs or hills, or go on nature hikes with challenging terrain.

Step Aerobics
This time-tested form of low impact exercise gets results while sparing your joints. Because you’re stepping onto an elevated platform, you’re able to get your heart rate up without jumping. You can enjoy a step aerobic video in the comfort of your home or join a class so you can work out with others.

Swimming
This is an exercise that works your entire body, elevates the heart rate, and burns calories at a powerful clip. Swimming laps is a great option for those with some solid pool skills but, if you’re in the beginning stages as a swimmer, you can get fantastic health benefits from joining a water aerobics class.

Yoga
Yoga gives you a significant calorie burn while promoting flexibility, balance, and mind-body wellbeing. Most gyms offer yoga classes for exercisers at all levels, and you can also choose to start your own at-home using an instructional yoga dvd or book.

Stretching
People don’t often think of stretching as an exercise in and of itself, but if done conscientiously, it can have major benefits for your health. Keeping your joints pliable will enhance your flexibility and make it easier for you to avoid injury from other activities. Stretching will also help you stave off the back problems, balance difficulties, and osteoarthritis issues that can accompany the aging process.