Fitness culture can be, to a newcomer, quite intimidating. This is especially true of those that don’t themselves feel ‘in shape’ or readily able to begin training with high impact exercises. Thankfully, there are a number of low impact sports and activities that can help to develop or maintain a level of physical fitness. Many of these endeavours offer not only the benefit of an overall level of fitness but also an enjoyable and social activity too.
That such low impact activities can be fun means that an individual is far more likely to stick with them too. In the same way, the social aspect of sports can encourage regular attendance, as opposed to the generally solo practice of attending a gym.
If you’re looking for inspiration for such a low impact sport or activity, one that will help you to gradually improve your wellbeing and fitness, today, we’re sharing six of the best!
Swimming
Perhaps the most widely celebrated low impact exercise, swimming has a number of potential benefits. It is a non-weight bearing activity that places a greater challenge upon the body, due to the water’s density, while simultaneously being comparatively low impact.
Yoga
Practising yoga doesn’t just bring about mental benefits but also physical ones too. Those trying it out for the first time, in fact, might be surprised at the flexibility and core strength required to achieve and hold certain poses. Yoga is said to benefit body strength as well as joints and posture too.
Paddleboarding
Perhaps now the most widely-celebrated low impact water sport, paddleboarding is an activity that has a number of appealing elements. It is an activity that those with various degrees of physical fitness levels can enjoy. It has only a small learning curve and is accessible to those young and old. Some favour paddleboarding because it allows them to explore nature while others use it as a purely social endeavour, regularly taking to bodies of water with their friends and family.
Cycling
Unlike running, cycling does cause your legs to strike the ground, relieving them, especially joints, of pressure. It is a low impact activity that can very easily be incorporated into a routine by allowing you to travel from one place to another. The distances and landscapes that you choose to ride in can also vary to match your ability or desired fitness level too. There are also a number of wonderful cycling routes across the UK for those that want to explore.
Tai Chi
An activity enjoyed by many in Asia, tai chi is gradually becoming more popular in the UK. Much like yoga, the activity focuses on breathing and movement, nurturing the body’s fitness slowly. It is often recommended to those recovering from an injury, as well as to the elderly who are looking to maintain their physical ability.
Hiking
Traversing long distances, as well as slow inclines, can be a superb way of improving your physical fitness. Different terrains cater to various difficulty levels and can even be chosen solely for their visual beauty. When you feel ready to really challenge yourself, there are a number of hills and mountains across the UK that can help to push your physical ability even further.
