The best types of low impact cardio

Swimming

“This is actually classed as a no-impact workout, because you are floating,” says Zara. Although you do have to work your way through the resistance of the water, there is no landing or pushing through the muscles, so is a great exercise to consider if you are suffering from joint pain.

Walking

Walking is low impact, with a cardiovascular benefit, but it also calms the nervous system. The benefits of walking are huge, so don’t write it off as a form of exercise.

Cardio machines

Most gyms have a whole host of cardio options, from the rower to the cross trainer and the stair master, so you can find one that you enjoy.

Circuits

In the same way you would do interval training with high impact exercise, you can do the same with low impact moves too. Modify by removing the jumping element in the exercises, such as stepping through a burpee rather than exploding through it, or turning a jumping jack into a single leg side step and arm raise.

Slow and controlled mountain climbers can reduce the impact on joints, and most other core moves also don’t involve jumping.

How and why to do low impact cardio, according to a trainer