Why You Should Consider Trying Low Impact Workouts
Getting your body moving through exercise is great for your overall health - not only does it keep you strong physically, but it’s also been shown to be highly beneficial for our mental health too.
When people think of working out, their minds may often jump to thoughts of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), running or other intense exercises. However, not everyone is capable of doing this training. That’s why low-impact workouts are perfect for those who want to get fitter but need to do less intense exercises. They can easily be incorporated into a workout plan too.
What is a low impact workout?
A low impact workout consists of exercises that do not strain or exert too much pressure on your muscles and joints. Examples of low-impact exercises and workouts include yoga, pilates, cycling and swimming. However, there are several other low impact cardio exercises that you can do to work up a sweat without putting too much strain on your body.
Benefits of low impact workouts
Some people may think that “low-impact” implies that these exercises are less beneficial than high-intensity workouts, but that’s certainly not true.
Low-impact workouts are also a great way to get into training if you haven’t workout in some time. These low impact workouts can also help to improve your overall physical strength, maintain weight loss, improve heart health, reduce the risk of heart disease, burn calories, build muscle and release stress, all while being gentle on your knees, hips and ankles.
Are low impact workouts effective for weight loss?
The short answer is, yes, low impact workouts are effective for weight loss. The more complex answer is that low-impact exercise will burn more fat than carbohydrates in comparison to high-impact exercises like running. However, you’ll burn fewer calories through low-impact workouts.
Remember that, in the bigger scheme of things, weight loss boils down to taking in fewer calories than your burning (a calorie deficit). Don’t think that this means low-impact workouts won’t do the trick - all you need to do is exercise for a little bit longer. As you start to become fitter, you can slowly increase the pace of your exercises as well as the number of sets you do. Through consistent effort, you’ll definitely shed that little bit of weight.
Four fat-burning, low-impact exercises
These low-impact exercises will help you work up a sweat and get your heart pumping without putting unnecessary strain on your body.
Walking
Walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise anyone can do - it requires little more than you lacing up your walking shoes and taking a stroll around the block. Or you can head to the gym and hop on a treadmill if you prefer.
Swimming
This is a great way to get your body moving while burning those extra calories. Swimming is not only a form of low-impact cardio, but it also helps build your strength and overall flexibility.
Cycling
If you’re looking for a low-impact exercise that can still get your heart racing, then cycling is just the thing for you. It’s one of the few workouts that will give you the same intensity and rush as you would get with something like running. Whether you want to hop on your own bike or head to a spinning gym class, getting into this type of exercise is easy and fun.
Consider full body low-impact exercises
Now, if these first three forms of low-impact exercise don’t quite do it for you, don’t worry. You can easily create your own workout routine using the following low-impact exercises - as you get fitter and stronger, you can start to increase the number of reps or sets you do too.
Crunches
Skaters
Planks
Side lunges
Marching
Push-ups
Standing oblique crunch
Glute bridges
Squats
