LOW-INTENSITY WORKOUTS
November 18 2024 – Delikate Rayne
It can be so easy to get wrapped up in your day-to-day activities and work that you often might feel like you don’t have time for exercise because it can be daunting to think about. However, there is a category of exercise that does not require much effort, can get your body moving, and leave you feeling accomplished. This exercise category has been described as low-intensity.
What are low-intensity exercises?
Low-intensity exercises do not strain your body and are much better if you find it hard to be active. When partaking in low-intensity workouts, you should not feel out of breath and be able to converse comfortably. However, these workouts would need to be continued for longer to achieve the same muscle gains as short periods of high-intensity exercises.
What activities can you do for a low-intensity workout?
- Swimming laps
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Cycling at a casual pace
- Walking at a casual pace
- Light jogging
These activities fall under low-intensity workouts because they allow you to keep a steady pace for a set time, increasing your chances of achieving the benefits. If you are interested in incorporating these exercises into your daily life, here are some things you should keep in mind:
- A heart monitor is not needed:
As you work out, you should break a light sweat but still be able to carry on a
conversation.
- You will need to increase your intensity as you build stamina:
To see results, you will want to increase your casual paces to faster ones.
- It might take time to see results. Be patient:
Low-intensity workouts will build muscle at a different rate than completing high-intensity workouts. However, these exercises offer numerous internal health benefits; over time, they will also offer external ones.
As mentioned prior, low-intensity workouts can offer numerous health benefits.
- Improved cardio-respiratory fitness
- Reduced fatigue and pain
- Better mood and experience an energy boost
- It is a more sustainable workout
- Reduced risk of falls and injury
- Increased mobility and balance
- Better sleep quality
- Increased Brain activity
- It can help alleviate stiffness
Exercising is often associated with being high-intensity, boundary pushing, and pushing yourself to the maximum. However, it does not have to be that way. Low-intensity workouts allow you to go at your own pace while still receiving benefits. They offer variety and convenience to your everyday life, so you can still be active. Low-intensity workouts have many benefits for those who want to go at their own pace, and there have been studies that allow for a greater improvement in cognition and attentional response levels. Low-intensity workouts are for everyone can don’t force you to perform vigorous exercise routines. They are safe and gentle and can be done almost anywhere. Low-intensity workouts are great opportunities to enable you to remain active and live independently!
Words by: Erica Benton
Sources:
Mehta, Parang. What to Know About Low-Intensity Workouts, WebMD,
7 Low-Intensity Workouts that Actually Make a Difference, St. Luke’s Health
Photos: Pinterest