Low impact exercises are the ones that require you to have one leg on the floor per time. There are many low impact exercises you can engage in to get your heart pumping and research has shown that they are beneficial to the body system.
Low impact exercises are not as intense as high impact exercise and there are many benefits of engaging in a low impact exercise. However, to get the best results out of every exercise you do, there is a need to do it correctly for optimum results, which is, to get your body in shape.
In this article, our focus is on low impact exercise, some examples of what you can do to get your heart pumping and some of the benefits of engaging in low impact cardio exercises.
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Low Impact vs. No Impact Cardio Exercise
There are situations when these two exercises are used interchangeably, however, it should be noted that they are not the same. For low impact, as rightly stated will require one leg to be on the ground per time, a no impact, on the other hand, will require both of the legs to be on the ground or supported by the machine.
Examples of no impact cardio exercise include:
- Cycling
- Elliptical
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Hiking
- Yoga
Having known the difference between no-impact and low-impact exercise, we will like to reiterate that both exercise are very useful and a great way to get your heartbeat faster. However, in this article, we will categorize both exercises the same as they are both have a lot of similarities.
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Benefits of Low-Impact Cardio Exercises
Easy On the Joints
Low impact exercises are much easier on the joints than other exercises like the high-impact exercise. Since they require one or both of the feet on the ground, you get enough support, more stability with less intensity.
Less Susceptibility to Injuries
Unlike high impact exercises, you are less susceptible to injuries if you do more of low-impact cardio exercises. They are less intense, your feet are stable on the ground or you are rightly supported on a workout machine and these make you less susceptible to injuries.
Great for Cardio
Riding an elliptical machine, exercise bike, rowers and other low-impact workout machines will get your heart beat faster. Though, they are no-impact exercises but do well to improve your cardio.
Exercises like hiking, dancing, walking, yoga, and other low-impact are also great for cardio. Though they are not intense but surely bring results.
Help Weight Loss
Though they are less intense, consistent low-impact exercises will help you lose some fats. However, the results may not be as rapid as high-impact exercises. For a faster weight loss, getting more intensity exercises will be of great benefit. Cycling is a good choice among low-impact exercises to burn calories faster.
Help Injuries Recovery
Exercising is one of the best ways to strengthen your joints for faster injury recovery. Therefore, it is vital to select a less stressful exercise to work your way up the recovery process. Low-impact exercises are less intense on the joints, thereby prevent worsening of the injury and encourage faster recovery.
Easier on the Body
Low impacts exercises are easier on the body. Though they give slower results compared to high impacts, they are gentler on the joints and muscles.
It Improves Body Balance
Low-impact focuses on body alignment, strength, balance, and stretching. Yoga helps improve balance and body alignments.
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Who Should Consider Low-Impact Exercise
Great for Beginners
If you are just getting started, low-impact exercise is the best way to start. It is not too intense and this will prepare your body for the challenge ahead. Beginners are also susceptible to injuries, therefore, low-impact gets there body ready.
People with Injuries
High impact exercises make you more prone to injuries, unlike low impact. Since exercises are part of injury recovery therapies, engaging in low-impact exercises might be your best bet if you are just recovering from an injury. You will be less prone to worsening your injury and you will recover even faster.
Break from High Impact
There are times you wish to switch up your exercise routine. Then, you should consider switching to low-impact if you have done high-impact for a long period. Switching things up is beneficial to overall body wellness.
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Who should not Consider Low-Impact Exercise?
Low impact exercises are not a good option for you if you fall within these categories:
Faster Result
Low impact exercises do not give faster results because they are less intense on the body. Therefore, if you need a faster result, you should consider high-impact and not low impact exercise. High impact burn calories faster, weight loss is more rapid compared to low impact.
Professional Training for Competition
To prepare you ahead of the important competition, low-impact might not be a good option for you. Low-intensity exercise will not prepare you ahead of the big day like high impact exercise.
Tougher Challenge
Low-impact exercise might not be tough on you; therefore, if you need tougher challenges, you might need to ditch low-impact exercise for a tougher exercise.
If you want stronger bone
High impact is far better for stronger bones; therefore, if you aim to improve your bone density, you should look into tougher exercises.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is low impact cardio good for weight loss?
Consistent low impact training is good for weight loss when consistently done correctly. However, high-impact gives faster results compared to low-impact as it burns more calories.
What is the best low impact cardio workout?
There is no better low-impact exercise because it all depends on a lot of factors. Fitness level, physical condition, and other pertinent factors will determine which exercise is best for you per time. Visiting your fitness instructor for professional advice is the best way to determine this.
Conclusion
Low impact exercise has many benefits to the overall body wellness. Though it is less intense, it sure gives good results when consistently done. They are gentler on the body, leading to less susceptibility to getting injured. The benefits are many and we have discussed some of the vital benefits of low impact exercises in this article.
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