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Live Well: Low-Impact Exercise
September 27, 2024

Exercise is important for maintaining health, but it’s even more important to do it in a way that’s safe for your body. There are many benefits to gentle exercise.
Brief intervals of mild to moderate exercise throughout the week can provide benefits to improve your health and wellbeing such as better sleep, reduced stress, and boosted strength/balance. Examples of such regular activity may include:
- walking
- gardening
- aqua aerobics
- golfing
- stretching, yoga, Pilates, or tai chi
Archery, bowling, baseball, horseshoes, and even bird watching can also provide a good deal of movement. Activity at this level will probably not raise your heart rate to sustained aerobic measures but will still give your muscles a workout. Also, an easier pace means you will be able to enjoy them for longer periods of time.
Mobility exercises benefit your muscles and connective tissues, and may also slow the development of arthritis or help to prevent falls. These types of exercise include yoga and water activities, whether it’s swimming or aquafit.
Weight-bearing exercises build muscle strength and prevent bone loss. This could involve lifting small hand weights, using weight machines, or even tennis and dancing.
Balance exercises can help to prevent falls. Some strengthen your leg muscles, while others improve your overall balance through activities such as standing on one leg for a short time.
Read more about gentle fitness your way, from your MFAP, TELUS Health.