Low Level Exercises

Low level exercises are popular, especially if you are concerned about taking care of your joints. These exercises give you a good aerobic workout and help to maintain a healthy life. An important fact to remember is that low level exercises are not synonymous with non-weight-bearing exercises. The bones and muscles are actually strengthened by the weight placed on the body. So low impact exercises that are most effective will include a combination of weight and non-weight-bearing activities.

  1. Walking

    • Walking strengthens the bones and lung capacity.

      Walking is a popular exercise that can be performed safely at any age. Walking is beneficial because it is low level but also weight-bearing. This means that the bones, joints and muscles still get a quality workout without causing any appreciable discomfort to the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that walking is the most popular aerobic activity in the United States. The CDC also recommends two and a half hours of exercise per week for adults. Since most people can walk much farther than they can run, walking is a popular low impact alternative to achieve health.

    Swimming

    • Swimming provides a full body workout with little risk of injury.

      Swimming provides excellent health benefits and falls into the category of low impact, non-weight-bearing activities. Swimming is an optimal activity to prevent injury but still gives an aerobic workout. Selene Yeager of Women's Health Magazine touches on the full body workout effects of swimming, noting that it provides resistance and works the core and major muscles of the body. Swimming is also a great calorie burner in addition to providing increased lung capacity and range of motion.

    Dancing

    • Dancing has multiple health benefits for all ages and abilities.

      Dancing provides all of the benefits of an aerobic workout with little risk of injury. As a weight-bearing, low level exercise, dancing helps strengthen the bones and lungs. The stamina and endurance required for dance are deemed "heart-healthy" and can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and lower blood pressure. AARP also notes that dancing can help lower the risk of heart disease and is a safe and effective exercise for people of all ages.

    Bicycling

    • Cycling relieves joint impact and provides a cardiovascular workout.

      Bicycling is an excellent non-weight-bearing, low level exercise. Cycling works the major muscles of the legs such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus and calf muscles. Stabilizer muscles in the abdominals are also used. As an aerobic exercise, the cardio-respiratory system -- heart and lungs -- also gets a complete workout. The American Heart Association promotes cycling for health and holds an annual cycling event.