We all have different reasons for adding low-impact workouts into our fitness regimen. Some of us might be exhausted from the stress that running places on our bodies. Others might not be able to jog anymore because their feet, knees, and hips throb afterward. Many of us get minor injuries or orthopedic issues that require us to go low-impact for a while until we’re able to heal. And still others are beginners at the gym and want to ease their bodies into a workout program.
Regardless of why you want to participate in low-impact workouts, Adventure Fitness Athletic Club has you covered! Our Thornton gym offers countless different low-impact opportunities that will get and keep you in shape. And don’t confuse low impact with low results! Just because an exercise is low-impact doesn’t mean it’s easy — we have plenty of joint- and ligament-friendly workouts that will get your muscles working, blood pumping, lungs breathing, body sweating, and endorphins flowing.
Read on to learn more about what low-impact workouts are and some of the many low-impact fitness opportunities you can find at AFAC gym.
What does “low-impact” mean?
Low-impact exercises are designed to be easy on your joints and ligaments.
Unfortunately, joints and ligaments tend to get injured easily and wear down over the years, which can cause great discomfort and lack of mobility. However, just because your joints are vulnerable doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t exercise at all, thanks to the many workouts that keep your body moving in a gentle, fluid-like fashion that protects your joints. Examples of low-impact exercises are walking, yoga, swimming, cycling, and using an elliptical machine.
Some of the reasons why people might want low-impact workouts include:
- Being new to working out
- Having an injury or recovering from an injury
- Needing a workout option for days following much harder workouts
- Building strength and flexibility around the joints to protect them when performing more strenuous workouts
- Improving core strength and form for other workouts or sports
- Being older, pregnant, or arthritic
While both high-impact and low-impact exercises are important to overall fitness, not everyone is able to participate in high-impact workouts for a variety of reasons. Talk to your doctor and a personal trainer at AFAC to help you determine what types of workouts are best for your joints and will still help you accomplish your fitness goals.
Does low-impact mean low-intensity?
The short answer is, no! Low-impact exercises can be classified as low-, moderate-, or high-intensity, which means low-impact exercises can be just as beneficial as high-impact exercises. Low-impact workouts can help you reach important fitness goals such as maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening your muscles, improving your cardiovascular health, lowering your blood pressure, decreasing your stress, and reducing your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Can you lose weight by doing low-impact workouts at the gym?
Yes! Low-impact exercise can be a very effective tool to use during your quest to lose weight. You simply need to work out for long enough sessions to burn sufficient calories and create a calorie deficit. As your fitness improves, you’ll be able to tolerate longer and faster-paced workouts, which will yield better results.
Low-Impact Workouts to Try at AFAC Gym
Now that we have a better idea of what low-impact workouts are, let’s explore some of the many low-impact workout options available at AFAC gym. These many choices allow our members to avoid boredom with their workouts and also help them to diversify their workouts to include both cardiovascular and muscle building into their weekly routines.
Nordic Walking
For a low-impact outdoor workout that offers similar intensity to running but without all the impact on your joints, try our Nordic Walking Classes at AFAC. These classes are led by our gym’s owner Susan Schaffner, who is a certified instructor for training and leading others on this unique combination of walking and skiing.
Kettlebell Training
Working out with kettlebell weights provides a total-body, strength-training and cardiovascular workout with minimal impact on your joints. Plus, the handles on kettlebells allow you to engage in dynamic movements that are impossible with other types of free weights.
Spinning
Our gym has Spin and More Classes two days a week where you’ll engage in a high-intensity, low-impact workout both on and off the spin bike. We also have spin bikes on site that our members can use individually for a good sweat session.
Recumbent and Upright Stationary Bikes
Riding a stationary bike like one of our recumbent or upright bikes will give you an effective low-impact workout that will strengthen your lower body and challenge your cardiovascular fitness.
Climbing machines
Our VersaClimber machines allow you to mimic the whole-body exercise of climbing, which provides you with a workout that engages all your major muscles. Even just 10-20 minutes on the VersaClimber can result in a decent cardiovascular and strength-training workout.
ElliptiGo Classes
During the warmer months, enjoy an outdoor fitness adventure during our ElliptiGo Classes! ElliptiGo machines are designed to make your body emulate the same motions as running, but without any of the impact. It’s like running on air!
Jacobs Ladder
Climbing on Jacobs Ladder burns a lot of calories, utilizes all your muscle groups, and actually is a harder workout than the higher-impact option of running on a treadmill.
Resistance Bands
AFAC’s gym has a full assortment of resistance bands that deliver a complete strength-training workout, without putting excess stress on your joints.
Rowing
If you’re ready for a high-intensity, demanding workout that improves your strength and endurance, rowing machines are the answer. You can strengthen your arms, core, legs, and upper back while burning up to 500 calories per hour.
Yoga
Probably the first low-impact workout ever invented, Yoga has been helping people increase their strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and mental health for thousands of years, which is why we’re proud to hold Yoga Classes at our gym.
Barre Classes
During an exercise session that reminds many people of classical ballet, our Barre Classes offer a high-intensity, low-impact workout that challenges every muscle in your legs, arms, and core. These classes will also get your heart rate up and increase your flexibility.
Get a High Return on Your Investment With Low-Impact Workouts at AFAC Gym
If you’re looking for a local gym that has the best combination of workout options in the greater Thornton, CO, area, contact Adventure Fitness Athletic Club today or stop by to meet our team. We’ll be happy to show you around our gym and introduce you to our diverse range of workout equipment, machines, free weights, and classes, as well as our other tools to help you recover and progress in your fitness journey like our cryotherapy chamber, hydromassage bed, Myzone exercise tracking program, and body composition assessments. Also feel free to contact our gym owner, Susan at 720-849-0245 or susan@adventurefitness.club for assistance.
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