All posts tagged: lowimpact

A Pilates teacher says this low-impact routine will build full-body strength and it’s ideal for beginners

A Pilates teacher says this low-impact routine will build full-body strength and it’s ideal for beginners

Published by Jenni Sidey

Heavyweight, all-out workouts aren’t the only way to build strength. Sometimes going slow, using just your bodyweight and drawing on principles from Pilates can be just as effective. “In Pilates, we build strength through control, stability and time under tension rather than lifting heavy or using high impact,” says trainer Brittni Johnson of fitness app BetterMe. Latest Videos FromFit&Well When you slow an exercise down, your muscles have to work throughout more of the movement while your core stabilizes your spine and pelvis. “That combination is what makes a relatively simple sequence feel surprisingly demanding,” she tells Fit&Well, but that doesn’t mean it’s low effort. You may like “Pilates can create a significant muscular challenge because you’re asking the body to produce movement while maintaining alignment and stability. “The goal isn’t to move as much as possible, it’s to make every repetition count.” Start your week with achievable workout ideas, health tips and wellbeing advice in your inbox. How to do the workout Drawing on these Pilates principles, Johnson has created this five-move workout designed …

Forget the treadmill, boost your cardio fitness at home with these three low-impact bodyweight exercises

Forget the treadmill, boost your cardio fitness at home with these three low-impact bodyweight exercises

Published by Jenni Sidey

If being stuck on a treadmill or static bike for miles is your only idea of cardio, then Lucy Borrie is out to change that. The professional dancer and personal trainer recently launched BeBody, a workout method inspired by ’80s aerobics designed to be fun and effective. It features classic bodyweight strength-training moves set to upbeat music; the faster tempo means you’ll get a cardio workout while testing your muscles. Latest Videos FromFit&Well Below, she’s shared three of her favorite low-impact cardio movements you can try at home. They will help you build strength all over and boost your heart health too. Borrie recommends putting on some fast-paced music and doing the workout in time to embody the BeBody method. You may like How to do the low-impact cardio workout Before you jump in, Borrie says you should do two slow repetitions of each exercise to make sure you can execute it comfortably. “Any movement I do, I always start slow, even if it’s a cardio movement,” she says. “I like to feel the move …

Lower-back pain made me want to quit glute workouts—a physical therapist changed my mind and gave me five low-impact exercises to build glute strength instead

Lower-back pain made me want to quit glute workouts—a physical therapist changed my mind and gave me five low-impact exercises to build glute strength instead

Published by Jenni Sidey

I’ve been slowly reintroducing strength training exercises into my routine after an extended break and included hip thrusts, an old favorite. I used to be able to shift some significant weight doing this move, but since returning to it I’ve noticed my lower back feeling sore afterwards. I asked Dr Christynne Helfrich, a doctor of physical therapy at Hinge Health, why this might be happening. Latest Videos From “When glute exercises trigger lower-back pain, it’s usually because the body is relying on the wrong muscles to do the work. Your glutes play a crucial role in stabilizing your pelvis and supporting your lower back,” she explains. “But if they’re not properly activated, or if the movement is asking more of your body than it’s prepared for, your lower-back muscles may step in to compensate.” You may like Helfrich suggested using a mirror to check my form and I noticed that I was shifting the load higher by arching my lower back. I assumed Helfrich would recommend I drop hip thrusts from my routine altogether, but …

The Low-Impact, 'Gentle' Habit The WHO Calls Crucial For Healthy Ageing

The Low-Impact, 'Gentle' Habit The WHO Calls Crucial For Healthy Ageing

Published by Sam Flores

!function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement(‘iframe’);t.display=’none’,t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement(‘script’);c.src=”//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js”,c.setAttribute(‘async’,’1′),c.setAttribute(‘type’,’text/javascript’),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document);(new Image()).src=”https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=8b034f64-513c-4987-b16f-42d6008f7feb”;cnx.cmd.push(function(){cnx({“playerId”:”8b034f64-513c-4987-b16f-42d6008f7feb”,”mediaId”:”468ef369-293d-446d-a99e-a5cadfa64ba5″}).render(“6a3e3f7ee4b0e695b2ed0605”);}); The World Health Organisation (WHO) has shared a post celebrating “the power of yoga for healthy ageing”, as part of its International Day Of Yoga (21 June). The WHO’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on X: “As people live longer, our goal is not just more years, but better years. Yoga supports this through gentle movement, breathing and mindfulness.” But what’s the science behind this? Happy International Day of #Yoga! This year’s theme is “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.” As people live longer, our goal is not just more years, but healthier years. Yoga can support healthy ageing through gentle movement, breathing and mindfulness. Evidence shows yoga… — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 21, 2026 Why might yoga help with healthy ageing?  One study found that among cancer survivors, three hours of yoga a week contributed to lower levels of insomnia, fatigue, and anxiety.  Perhaps those sleep findings weren’t surprising given another paper found yoga to be the most effective exercise for better slumber. It added up to two extra hours of …

The 5 Best Low-Impact Cardio Options, According to Experts

The 5 Best Low-Impact Cardio Options, According to Experts

Published by Jenni Sidey

Getting your cardio in doesn’t have to mean pounding the pavement—or your joints, for that matter. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or just at that age where everything kind of hurts for no particular reason, low-impact cardio machines like the elliptical, spin bike, and yes, even the treadmill (with one small adjustment) offer a simple solution to get your heart rate up without hammering away at your precious connective tissues. “It’s a great way to get exercise in and stay active without putting a ton of stress on your joints, especially if you’re someone that has pre-existing medical conditions or injuries,” says Megha Abraham, MD, assistant professor and sports medicine physician at UTHealth Houston. Low impact doesn’t have to mean low intensity. Think of it as the opposite of soft cardio. Whereas soft cardio can be done using pretty much any machine or activity, provided that you’re taking it easy, low-impact cardio exercises let you go as hard as you want—without worrying about blowing out one of your knees. From the gym floor to …

From low-impact loo roll to vintage sinks: 13 ways to make your bathroom more sustainable | Ethical and green living

From low-impact loo roll to vintage sinks: 13 ways to make your bathroom more sustainable | Ethical and green living

Published by Sam Flores

As a sustainability journalist, I’ve often despaired at how unsustainable our bathrooms are – from water use to plastic bottles to chemical-heavy cleaners. However, there are ways to reduce their carbon footprint. As water becomes increasingly precious, hacks for our loos that cap its usage are useful, as are smart showerheads that cut down on water, particularly as baths these days feel like a guilty indulgence. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Swap plastic-packaged and chemical-loaded products, such as bleach and multipurpose sprays, for eco-friendly ones, and buy secondhand good-as-new fixtures. From bamboo loo roll to solid shampoo bars, here are my tips for a more planet-friendly bathroom. Are there any sustainable bathroom products you love? Let us know by emailing thefilter@theguardian.com. How to make your bathroom more sustainable Organic cotton towels Rise & Fall bath towels From £45 for two at Rise & Fall These Oeko-Tex-certified Aegean cotton towels from Rise & Fall are a good balance of indulgent and responsible. …

Can’t do jumping jacks? Try these low-impact exercises instead to get your heart pumping

Can’t do jumping jacks? Try these low-impact exercises instead to get your heart pumping

Published by Jenni Sidey

According to the CDC, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. But if you’ve got certain injuries or mobility concerns, doing certain cardio exercises—such as jumping jacks—can be ill-advised. Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways to get your heart rate up without doing high-impact exercises that put stress on your joints. I have a go-to joint-friendly workout that I use with personal training clients that need to stay away from anything high-impact. It consists of moves that are safe to do for just about anyone—and they don’t require any equipment, besides a timer. Latest Videos From You may like How to do my low-impact cardio workout Clear any new activity with your doctor before proceeding. If you’re unsure of how to do any of these exercises, meet with a certified personal trainer for guidance. This circuit workout alternates between short work periods and short rest periods. The routine is adaptable for most fitness levels and can be progressed as your endurance improves. For beginners: Start your week with …

Try this trainer’s 20-minute treadmill walking workout if you’re looking for a low-impact way to get fit

Try this trainer’s 20-minute treadmill walking workout if you’re looking for a low-impact way to get fit

Published by Jenni Sidey

We all know we’ll benefit if we stay active, but it becomes harder to do if you have concerns about your joint health. In that case, the treadmill is your friend. “Walking on a treadmill is actually gentler on your joints because the belt provides some shock absorption, unlike the hard pavement outdoors,” says Denise Chakoian, a certified fitness trainer and owner of Core Cycle and Fitness LaGree. When combined with some of the best walking shoes, you may find your joints are more comfortable with indoor walking. Plus, you remove many of the other factors that worry people about walking outdoors. You may like “Treadmills can feel safer for people who are worried about traffic, uneven sidewalks or isolated areas. Some people also prefer the convenience of walking at home or the gym while watching TV or listening to music,” says Chakoian. If you think that the shock absorption of the treadmill makes it a less effective workout, you don’t need to worry. “Walking on a treadmill is just as effective as walking outdoors …