When it comes to exercises for losing weight and getting fit, you have dozens of choices. You might think the more energetic and powerful your workout is, the more effective it is. Running and jogging are two common exercise choices. However, both are high-impact exercises which stresses the joints in the legs, hips and back. You have other options that will give you the results you want. Low-impact is the way to go.

What exactly are low-impact exercises?

The term "low-impact" means any activity that does not require you to put your limbs into contact with a hard surface. When you go running or jogging, you are doing a high-impact activity. As your foot hits the ground, your entire body weight is pressing down. That causes wear and tear in the joints. While doing it occasionally is okay, doing it routinely is not ideal. It is important to have plenty of low-impact activities mixed in your routine. You will get the workout without the joint damage.

What kinds of exercises can you do in the low impact category?

Many exercises fall into the low impact category, including:

• Pushups and situps
  
• Lunges and squats
  
• Medicine balls
  
• Exercise bands
  
• Walking
  
• Swimming
  
• Rowing machine
  
• Strength training
  
• Yoga
  
• Elliptical machine
  
• TRX training
  
• Pilates
  
• Cycling
  
  

This list is by no means complete. You can have a great deal of variety in your exercise routine without worrying about the adding wear and tear to your joints.

Does low-impact exercise offer the same workout as a high-impact one?

You might be thinking that you cannot get the same workout with low impact versus high impact exercises. The fact is that you can. You are working out the same muscles. You are building your heart rate. You are getting all the same benefits of high-impact exercise without the stress on the joints.

These exercises are great for people of all ages, at different levels of fitness, and with different fitness goals. You can create a single routine or a range of routines. You can change things when your goals change. That is the beauty of these kinds of exercises.

How can you start adding low impact exercises to your fitness routine?

A personal trainer can teach you how to use low impact exercises to get fit and healthy. The trainer can help you find exercises to meet your fitness goals and keep you challenged.

Set an appointment to meet with Ralph Roberts, a professional personal trainer at the Downtown Athletic Club in Amarillo, Texas. Ralph brings over a decade of athletic experience to each of his clients. He can help you gain the skills and develop the right fitness routines to meet your fitness goals. Contact Ralph today.