Low Impact fitness vs High Impact fitness – and why you can still get solid fitness results from low impact workouts.
So why could a low impact workout be best for you?
If you’re new to exercise, you might think that high impact exercising like running, jumping and other plyometric moves are the only way to lose weight. Or that the best HIIT workouts are the ones with the dreaded burpee.
What is a low impact workout?
It’s simple: low impact exercises are moves that don’t have the jump and bounce. There’s no hard ‘landing’ impact. This makes them much easier on the joints.
That doesn’t mean you won’t find these workouts challenging! Low impact can bring some BIG results. And with my workouts, you can still expect a serious sweat sesh and that amazing afterburn interval training is so famous for.
Who should do low impact workouts?
Low impact workouts are great for anyone! But they’re especially good if you:
- Have weak joints
- Struggle to maintain form when you jump – like jump lunges, burpees, etc – and need to take it slower
- Are a newbie to regular exercise, or coming back to fitness after a break
- Want to focus on toning, conditioning and strength
- Are pregnant or a new mum
- Want to improve posture and overall health
What types of cardio are low impact?
Swimming, cycling, walking and even using the rowing machine at the gym are all great low-impact exercises.
You can also incorporate a bit of at-home cardio in TXO Life workouts. Punching and kicking, without the bounce, and mountain climbers are a few examples of heart-rate-boosting cardio moves.
Can you lose weight with low impact workouts?
Yes! In fact, some people may find it easier to lose weight this way.
If high impact moves fill you with dread, you could be much more likely to maintain a regular workout schedule if you switch to a style that feels better on your body. Plus, if you can reduce your chance of injury, you’ll be less likely to hurt yourself and need those long recovery breaks.
Building muscle strength and tone not only helps with health and overall posture, the conditioning and muscle strength also sculpt your form. In case you haven’t heard, muscle growth promotes fat loss and calorie burn.
The fact is, exercises are only effective if you’re able to do them properly. Find it hard to keep your balance and your knees tracking when you lunge? Or keeping your back straight and core engaged with weighted squats? By focusing on form with low impact moves, you’ll reap more benefits.
By Tiffiny Hall and her team of experts at TXO LIFE
