What if joint pain makes it hard for you to do those activities you loved to do before? The physical condition of each person, and in particular that of those who suffer from joint problems such as the knee, can be decisive when choosing the type of exercise to perform.
One of them is low-impact exercises. These are characterized by gradually increasing the heart rate and exerting less pressure on the joints compared to other types of exercises that are more demanding in that sense. These types of exercises are slower and gentler, and are geared toward staying active without aggravating existing injuries or causing new ailments.
Basically, my feet are in contact with the floor, pedals or on any surface all the time, giving less pressure to areas such as knees, hips and ankles. High-impact exercises, on the other hand, typically involve jumping and jumping. One is not necessarily more difficult than the other; they simply target different areas of the body.
If due to health problems or associated with age you do not want to give up staying in shape, this type of training helps to improve cardiovascular health without detracting from the development of muscle mass.
BENEFITS OF LOW-IMPACT EXERCISES
Whether at home, in a gym, or anywhere, low-impact exercises have great benefits for your health. Some of them are:
They protect you from injury: Low-impact exercises have a much lower risk of injury than high-impact movements. For this reason, they are great for beginners or anyone who needs to be careful with their joints. Especially for those who suffer from knees.
Perfect for recovery days: If you are a person who exercises a lot, low-impact exercises are ideal for those days where you need to recover while still doing some physical activity. Also, low-impact movements can make it easier for you to get back into a routine.
They help you with high-impact exercises: Because low-impact exercises bring strength and flexibility to your joints, they can help with high-impact exercises that involve the same areas. Low-impact exercises such as yoga and stretching can also help you improve posture, which is essential for staying fit.
Low-impact exercise disciplines:
The first thing you should consider is that information from the internet should not replace the evaluation of a professional. Talk to your doctor or therapist about exercises you can do if you’ve had a serious knee injury or if you’re older.
There are many amazing disciplines that will help you stay healthy without putting your joints at risk. Some of them are: swimming, elliptical, cycling, yoga, pilates, TRX, functional exercises that do not involve jumping.
How to incorporate low-impact exercises into my life?
You can easily incorporate low-impact exercises into your daily routine, regardless of your age or ability. There are many low-impact exercises that you can do at home, in your office, while working or when traveling. Here are some ideas:
15 minutes of stretching a day.
As much as possible, walk, either instead of taking the elevator, to go to the market or to get to work.
Turn your errands into a light exercise routine by walking a little more when you go shopping.
Take advantage of free time to move a little, stretch, walk, do yoga or any exercise that gets your body moving.
Avoid a sedentary lifestyle at home.
Exercising is the best way to stay healthy and finding a perfect one for every type of person and their needs is possible. If you have joint problems (especially knee) it is important to see a specialist to evaluate your general health and thus recommend the best options.
