Low Impact Cardio: How To Get Fit Without Stressing Your Joints

You are probably one of the people who think about running whenever they hear people talk about cardiovascular exercises. Although running is an example of cardiovascular exercise, it is not the only cardiovascular exercise. However, swimming and cycling are still cardiovascular exercises.

Cardiovascular exercises increase people’s heart rates. Although several people hate them, they offer several health benefits. Therefore, if you are one of these people, you should start trying these exercises. You can start with low-impact cardio exercises. Below are more details on low-impact cardio exercises:

Low-Impact Cardio Exercises

Low-impact cardio exercises focus on ensuring that at least one foot remains on the ground as one is exercising. Therefore, when doing them, you will not put much stress on your joints. These exercises will be best for you if you are not used to working out or if your joints are injured. They are good for the days that you feel overwhelmed and do not feel like exercising. Some of the low-impact cardio exercises include:

Swimming

Swimming is a low-impact cardio exercise. Anyway, when you swim, water buoyancy will support your weight. As a result, you will not put too much stress on your joints when swimming.

This exercise will help you burn calories. For instance, if you are a 155-pound person and swim continuously for 30 minutes, you will likely burn around 220 calories. Swimming will also improve the flexibility and strength of your body. 

Rowing Machine Workout

Rowing is another low-impact cardiovascular exercise that you should try. It is a non-weight-bearing exercise that you can try when you are in a fitness club facility. You will need a rowing machine for you to work out. 

Rowing machine workouts will help your body gain strength and lose calories. These workouts will also elevate your heart rate.

Cycling

Cycling is a common type of low-impact cardiovascular exercise. You can incorporate it into your day by swapping your vehicle for a bike on your next trip to the supermarket. If this is impossible, try the indoor cycling studio.

Cycling will improve your cardiovascular fitness and decrease your stress levels. It will also help you burn the extra fat in your body and increase your muscle flexibility and strength. If your joints are injured, cycling in an indoor cycling studio will help you maintain the injuries.

Hiking

If you love being outdoors, hiking will be a good low-impact cardio exercise for you. This exercise will increase your general body fitness and cardiovascular fitness. It will also boost your mood by impacting your mental health positively.

If you go hiking often, you will lower your risk of suffering from heart disease. You will also strengthen your hamstrings, hip muscles, and core. Your blood sugar levels will also stabilize.

Walking

Maybe you are one of the people who wonder if walking is a form of exercise. Walking is an exercise that is considered to be a low-impact exercise and can improve your heart health. It is a good exercise to start with if you are not used to exercising. You can start with everyday 10-minute walks and improve as time goes by.

Jumping Jacks

Probably the last time you did jumping jacks was during a high school gym class. If this is the case, you are missing out, and you need to start doing jumping jacks. This exercise will not require any equipment. Therefore, you can do it in the comfort of your home.

If you want to live a healthy life, you need to incorporate low-impact cardiovascular exercises into your daily routine. These exercises will improve your heart health and help you burn calories. Swimming, walking, cycling, and hiking are some of the low-impact cardio exercises you should incorporate into your daily routine.