Give Your Joints a Break: Low-Impact Cardio Workouts to Try

What Are the Benefits of Low-Impact Cardio?

Low-impact exercises offer numerous benefits, including:

• Easier on your joints, reducing the risk of injury
• Improved mobility for when you do engage in high-impact activities
• Better balance and stability
• Weight loss, as aerobic activity boosts metabolism
• Improved overall health and fitness

Low-Impact Cardio Workout Routines to Try

Here are 21 low-impact cardio workouts to get you started:

Home Workouts

• Bodyweight exercises: Try squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks to get your heart rate up.
• Low-impact half jumping jacks, squat-to-jabs, and standing oblique crunches
• Triceps dips using a chair or couch
• Quiet routine: Cycle through eight exercises that won’t disturb the neighbors

Pilates and Yoga

• Pilates: Improve core strength and body composition without straining your joints
• Yoga: Feel the burn without the pain, with poses like Downward Dog and Half Moon

Strength Training

• Low-impact cardio with weights: Mix and match exercises for shoulders, butt, and more
• Renegade row, dumbbell side lunge, dumbbell floor press, and dumbbell Russian twist

Gym Workouts

• Elliptical: Less stress on your legs than a treadmill
• Stair-climber: Get winded without the high-impact stress
• Rowing: Work your arms, back, legs, and core without leaving the gym
• TRX: Total-body resistance exercises using a strap suspension system
• Step aerobics: A timeless cardio workout without the high-impact stress

Outdoor Workouts

• Walking: Add intensity with hills or resistance bands
• Cycling: A great way to get exercise without straining your joints
• Kayaking: Work your arms and core while enjoying the scenery
• Tai chi: Improve balance and ward off depression, dementia, and sleep troubles
• Hiking: Upgrade your walks with low-grade terrain
• Rock climbing: Use slow, controlled movements to work your muscles
• Swimming and water aerobics: Lower blood pressure and regulate blood sugar
• Snowshoeing: A low-impact winter workout
• Rollerblading: Glide on pavement while burning calories
• Cross-country skiing: Keep the pressure light on your body while improving health
• Golf: Improve health and fitness with social connection, outdoor time, and movement