Exercises That Won’t Ruin Your Knees

Exercise has the power to balance your cholesterol, lower your blood sugar, boost your heart health, strengthen your bones and muscles, improve your neurological function, help you sleep, brighten your mood, and maintain a healthy body weight. With all of these benefits, exercise is as close to a silver bullet as you can get when it comes to your health. The only downside is the wear and tear some fitness routines can put your joints through. Luckily, there are excellent exercise options that won’t ruin your knees. Here are three:

Walking

Walking gives you all the benefits of other forms of exercise without the repetitive pounding to your knees. It has even been shown to reduce joint pain. Additionally, studies have shown that walking reduces the risk of developing certain cancers, such as breast cancer, and osteoporosis. Furthermore, walking curbs sugar cravings, relieves stress, and boosts your immune function. Just going on a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day is enough to give you all of these benefits and more.

Swimming

Swimming is one of the best full-body, low-impact workouts there is. Swimming tends to be more gentle on your joints than other exercises. Yet, even though swimming is a low-impact exercise, it is still a super calorie burner. Swimming not only boosts your cardiovascular strength, but it also tones your entire body. If you aren’t a swimmer you can still get the joint-protecting benefits of water workouts. Running in the water, using a kick pad to do kicking drills, and water aerobics are all excellent options for non-swimmers. 

Cycling

Working out on a stationary bike or taking a spin class is a great way to get a fantastic workout without ruining your knees. Cycling strengthens your lower body muscles and pushes you cardiovascularly. Standing during your workout works your core, as well. If you take a class you can also make friends and feel an added sense of community. Cycling workouts can be modified to fit any fitness level, from the lowest to the most advanced. 

You don’t have to perform high-impact exercises to get a good workout. If walking, swimming, or cycling aren’t your thing, there are still plenty of choices. Yoga, weight training, rowing, pilates, and elliptical are also excellent options. The most important thing is to move your body every day. There is usually something you can do, even if you have an injury. Don’t let weak joints keep you from the amazing benefits of exercise! 

Check out this article on what to know before starting yoga!