How To Do Low Impact Cardio To Lose Belly Fat
I enjoy the best low-impact cardio workout. But it’s not what most people think about when they think of cardio and weight loss.
When it comes to improving your fitness, many people think that they need to do high-impact cardio. This is not always the case.
Low intensity, slow, and low-impact cardio can be just as effective – if not more so – than traditional high-impact exercises.
What Is Low-Impact Cardio?
Cardio, or aerobic exercise, is any type of physical activity that increases your heart rate and helps to improve your cardiovascular fitness.
Cardio exercises can be performed at various intensities, from low-impact activities like walking to high-intensity activities like running.
Low-impact cardio is a great option for people new to exercise, as it is relatively easy on the joints and muscles.
Additionally, low-impact cardio can be performed at a lower intensity than high-impact cardio, making it a more comfortable option for some people.
Examples Of A Low Impact Cardio Workout
Low-impact cardio exercises are perfect for people who want to get a workout without putting too much stress on their joints or moving too fast.
Low-impact cardio exercises are a great way to get your heart pumping without putting too much stress on your joints.
Here are some examples of low-impact cardio exercises that you can try:
- Walking: Walking is a great way to get some low-impact cardio. You can do it anywhere, and it’s easy on your joints.
- Swimming: Swimming is a great cardio workout because it’s low impact, and you can use all your muscles. It’s also a great way to cool down on a hot day.
- Elliptical: An elliptical is a great option for low-impact cardio because it’s easy on your joints and can go at your own pace.
- Biking: Biking is another great option for low-impact cardio. You can bike indoors or outdoors, and it’s a great way to see the sights while getting some exercise.
These exercises are relatively easy on the body and can be done for long periods without causing too much fatigue. They’re also great for people who are new to exercise or haven’t been active for a while.
Which Is Better, High Impact Cardio Or Low Impact Cardio?
People tend to either love or hate cardio workouts. Some people find them tedious and repetitive, while others find them invigorating and empowering.
But many people don’t realize that there are different cardio workouts, each with benefits. High-impact cardio workouts, such as running or jumping, increase the heart rate and burn calories.
A low-impact cardio workout, such as walking or swimming, is gentler on the body and can be just as effective for improving cardiovascular health.
So which is better? The answer depends on your goals and preferences. If you want to lose weight or get fit quickly, high-impact cardio is a great option. But low-impact cardio might be better if you’re dealing with injuries or joint pain.
Ultimately, the best cardio workout type is the one you’ll stick with long-term. If you hate running but love swimming, then swimming is your better choice.
The bottom line is that any cardio workout is better than no workout.
Good Cardio Doesn’t Always Equal Fast Cardio
As a certified personal trainer with NASM, I often tell people the benefits of low-impact cardio. But many are surprised to learn that cardio doesn’t have to be fast to lose weight.
Any cardio that gets the heart rate into fat-burning mode can result in weight loss. The amount of energy you put into a workout has more impact on your weight loss than the cardio speed. For example, I can walk some of my local hills with a weighted vest workout, and my heart rate will climb to the same levels as if I was running HIIT at full speed.
I recently did this with my weighted vest; here is a video of my weighted vest low impact walk.
Final Thoughts on Low Impact Cardio And Weight Loss
If you are looking for ways to lose weight with low-impact exercises, look for ways to replace speed with resistance. You can even do low-impact cardio at home. If you are on a treadmill, consider increasing the incline or adding resistance, such as a weighted vest to the workout. If you are walking, look for hills.
A light set of dumbbells can add a few pounds of resistance to any walk and get your heart pumping without increasing speed.
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