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How to stay active with low-impact exercises
It can be difficult to stay disciplined in a regular exercise routine even in the best of times. As some gyms are closed and exercise classes are on pause, you have to get creative with where and how to stay active. The good news is that working out with limited movement is completely doable.
Everyone is different, and it’s important to take the time to figure out what works best for your body. If anything causes pain, don’t push yourself. Working out should be challenging; but it should also make you feel better, not worse, afterward. Below is a list of exercises that are easy to complete anytime and anywhere you are.
Cardiovascular workouts can seem daunting and feel challenging, but there are many different ways to raise your heart rate without overdoing it. Cardio, or aerobic, exercise is important to help strengthen your heart and muscles, ease joint pain and stiffness, and help manage high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. If you have access to open space indoors or can head outside, there are many different types of exercises you can do that are easy and require no equipment. Some of our favorites are:
- Walking
- Dancing (this one tends to be the most fun!)
- Climbing stairs
- Swimming
Strength training exercises typically require some equipment, but they also tend to require less movement than cardiovascular exercises. Strength training can help manage pain from chronic conditions and strengthen not only your muscles, but also your bones. If there is a part of your body that has limited mobility, you can focus on building strength in other areas. For example, if you have issues with your knees or legs, you might want to focus on upper-body strength training. With strength training exercises, you can always modify movements to ensure you’re not putting too much stress on certain areas of your body. Some good strength training options include:
- Resistance band exercises
- Lifting weights
- Bodyweight exercises like wall push-ups or crunches
Visit Healthline for other strength training options and ways to scale strength training exercise routines.
Flexibility exercises are low-intensity workouts that are still very beneficial to your overall health and fitness. Stretching regularly can help extend your range of motion, reduce pain and stiffness, and prevent injury. While you can simply carve out time to stretch on your own, there are also fun ways to incorporate stretching into your routine.
We hope this inspires you to get moving in a way that feels good to you. Tag us on social media showing us your favorite workouts at your Solstice Senior Living community!