Any physical activity that provides cardiovascular exercise while removing a high amount of pressure on your joints classifies as low-impact cardio. With this workout, you eliminate the stress shock that results in muscle soreness and stress fractures. During your low-impact workout, you should be able to speak clearly, comparing to high-intensity exercise, where you can’t talk without catching your breath. Here’s what you should know about the key advantages of this conditioning.

Preserve Your Joint Health

Whether walking, cycling, swimming, or doing yoga at home, when utilizing controlled movements for a prolonged time, you minimize the weight applied to your joints. By reducing the wear and tear, you provide your body with many composition benefits, much like an intense program. These exercises are optimal for older people and pre- and post-natal women, as you can perform them at your own pace without affecting your joints, tendons, or ligaments significantly. Also, water-based activities, such as water pilates or deep water running, are ideal for anyone recovering from an injury or currently in a rehabilitation program.

Enhance Your Strength & Endurance

Through routine and consistency, low-impact cardio is perfect for gradually building strength and endurance while transitioning your body and mind toward positive habits. Because it doesn't affect your body harshly, you can practice every day. In the long-term, this will develop muscle tone, increase endurance, and strengthen bone density. A review of studies published in 2015 concluded that this exercise improved low limb muscle strength and balance in adults between 65 to 85. This reduces the risks and frequency of falls, which is a significant cause of injuries in older individuals.

Lose Weight

Low-impact activity decreases your waist circumference as effectively as those that are high-impact. Research showed that a group assigned 30 minutes of low-impact exercise was comparable to the high-intensity one, losing 1.6 inches from their waist, on average. Because you can perform low-impact cardio for upward of an hour, you burn more calories and also improve your cardiovascular health.

To get the most benefits of a proper low-impact cardio routine, visit Anytime Fitness in Chesterfield, MO. Their dedicated personal trainers will assist you in creating a workout for your needs, setting achievable goals, and taking care of your body. With non-stop, 24/7 access, and high-end cardio and weight equipment, you will have the tools to get in the best shape of your life. Call (314) 858-8986 to inquire about their membership options, or visit their website to learn more about their exercise classes, amenities, and free 7-day trials.