It’s easy to feel intimated by exercise. It seems as though there are so many different things you can do and so many different ways to do them that it’s hard to know where to start. Further, if you are a beginner exerciser, it can seem as though everyone else has some kind of secret fitness knowledge that you don’t have. The good news is that being new or beginner does not limit your ability to exercise effectively. In fact, research has shown again and again that the best way to stay motivated and get the most benefit from exercising regularly is to find an activity you enjoy enough to do consistently. The following low-impact activities are great for people of all fitness levels. Read on for more information about each one and tips for getting started…
Cardio Exercises
Perhaps the most common exercise people new to fitness try is running. While running has its place, particularly for people who have certain knee issues, it is not the best way to get fit or stay fit for everyone. There are some very good reasons for this. First, running is a high-impact exercise. This means that as your foot hits the ground, the force travels up your body, which can cause wear and tear on your joints. As a beginning exerciser, your body is not yet used to the stress of exercising and so is more susceptible to injury. As you progress in fitness, your body will become more accustomed to the stresses of exercise and injury risk will decrease, but it will take time. Second, running is just not that enjoyable for most people. Many people who begin to run find that despite their best intentions, they are not able to keep it up for very long.
Strength Exercises
One of the most effective ways to improve your fitness level is to perform strength exercises, such as lifting weights. Strength exercises are a great way to increase your endurance and build lean muscle mass, which can help to lower your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Because strength exercises don’t require any additional equipment, they are great for people just starting out or who don’t have access to a gym. Some examples of strength exercises are squats, lunges, and pushups. If you are not sure how to perform these exercises correctly, it’s a good idea to have a trainer show you the proper form. As your fitness level increases, you can add more advanced exercises to your routine.
Core Exercises
To truly reap the benefits of regular exercise, it’s important to engage all parts of your body. While many people focus on exercises that build strength, such as lifting weights, it’s just as important to build stability, particularly in your core. To do this, you can do core exercises. These include things like planks, crunches, and leg lifts. It’s important to note that not all core exercises are created equal. Some exercises are better than others. To get the most out of your core exercises, you want to make sure that you are engaging your core muscles, particularly your transverse abdominis (TA). One way to do this is to focus on your breathing as you perform the exercise. When you engage your TA, you’ll find that you take a deep breath in and your stomach will expand outwards.
Jumping Exercises
Jumping is a full-body exercise that gets your heart rate up, tones your legs and arms, and can be done almost anywhere. While you will still get the benefits of the exercise even if you don’t jump as high as you possibly can, it’s a good idea to start with low-impact jumps to avoid injuring yourself. Once you’re used to the exercise, you can progress to higher jumps, which will increase the intensity of the exercise.
Bottom-Half Exercises
Full-body exercises are great, but if your goal is to strengthen your bottom half, you might want to try a bottom-half exercise. One common bottom-half exercise that many people love is the leg press. Like with the full-body exercises, you can start out with low-intensity and work your way up as your fitness level increases.
Conclusion
Exercising is an essential part of leading a healthy lifestyle. While anyone can benefit from exercising, it is particularly important for those who are overweight or obese. Exercising can help you lose weight, increase your fitness level, and improve your overall health. When you are just starting out, it is important to choose an exercise that is low impact. Low-impact exercises use your own body weight and don’t put as much stress on your joints. As you progress in fitness, you can move on to more advanced activities. If you’ve been putting off starting an exercise routine because you’re intimidated by the thought of going to the gym or you’re worried that you’ll do something wrong, don’t worry. All of these exercises can be done from home, on your own time, and in your own way, so there’s no need to feel intimidated.
