Tips for Staying Fit With Low-Impact Activities
Keeping your body in motion is an important way to stay in shape. This doesn’t mean you need to be able to run a 5K or do bodybuilding to stay healthy. You can stay fit by choosing low-impact activities in your daily life. These exercises can help with weight control, balance, strength, flexibility, and reduced risk of injury.
Let’s take a look at some great exercises to try.
Walking
Walking is a great beginner exercise for all ages. It’s low impact, needs little planning, and is highly accessible. If you’re just getting started, start with short walks. Go around the block, park at the end of the parking lot, or take the stairs. Gradually increase your steps, pace, and intensity as you get stronger.
Swimming
Swimming is a terrific aerobic, low-intensity exercise, providing you with a full-body workout. What’s great about swimming is you can get resistance from the water without experiencing the joint compression and pressure you experience with other types of exercise.
Cycling
Cycling is a low-impact exercise that can be performed in various ways, depending on your preferences. Get outside and ride (remember to wear your helmet!), peddle at the gym, take a spin class, or, if you own a stationary bike, begin a home regimen. One of the best things about cycling is it puts minimal pressure on the joints.
Golfing
Depending on the season and where you live, golfing is a great low-impact activity. You can build strength, balance, and flexibility. Want to kick it up a notch? Bypass the golf cart and walk the course with your gear. The golf course also provides the perfect opportunity to schedule social time.
Resistance Band Exercises
Lifting weights can be a bit much, especially if the muscles need strengthening or weights are simply too heavy. Using resistance bands is an effective low-impact activity to help you build strength and improve your flexibility, not to mention the bands are portable and easy to bring on the go. Do your exercises at home, on your lunch hour, or at the gym.
Yoga
Yoga is a low-impact, customizable activity that you can increase or decrease intensity as needed. Take a class, perform yoga exercises outside or in the comfort of your own home. Aside from increasing flexibility, building muscle, and improving balance, yoga is a great way to relax and rejuvenate the mind and spirit.
Tips for Beginning an Exercise Regimen
Before adding any new exercises to your routine, consider discussing plans with your physician. Other beginner tips include:
- Starting slow
- Stretching before exercise
- Sufficient hydrating
- Not overdoing it
- Listening to your body if you feel pain (a little soreness is usually normal)
Consider Prevagen to Support Healthy Cognitive Function
Your body is an important part of maintaining good health, but so is your brain. Routine exercise, along with healthy eating and good sleeping habits can also build a healthy you. Supplements can also help. Consider adding Prevagen to your daily routine to support cognitive function. Prevagen is formulated with apoaequorin, a unique substance originally discovered in a species of jellyfish known as Aequorea victoria.