Exercise is one of the most important aspects of living a healthy and balanced life. Humans were designed to move and flex their muscles, including their heart muscle on a regular basis. Not only does exercise build stamina and endurance, it also promotes a great sense of mental well being. Many people are reluctant to strap on a pair of running shoes and take on the challenges of a brisk run. Fortunately, low impact cardio provides a way for the novice or reluctant exerciser to get a good cardiovascular workout. What exactly is low impact cardio and what are the advantages of this form of exercise?

Low impact cardio is a type of exercise that gives the heart as well as the entire body a good workout while reducing the risk of injury. With this form of workout, there's a minimum of jumping which puts excessive stress on the joints. Throughout most of the workout, only one foot is removed from the floor at a time and there's an absence of abrupt, explosive movements. Despite the absence of jumping, the heart rate is still elevated into the aerobic range to give the desired cardiovascular benefits.

What are the advantages of a low impact cardio workout? This type of workout is ideal if you're new to the world of exercise and fitness. The movements are usually simple and rhythmic which makes them easy to follow and provides just enough intensity to increase your heart rate without exhaustion. Most low impact workouts require no equipment and can be completed in thirty minutes which is ideal for a beginner. It's a safe, non-threatening, way to take on the new challenge of getting fit.

A low impact cardio workout is also ideal if you're older or pregnant and don't want to deal with the stress of jerky movements or jumping. It's also a safer workout if you have joint problems such as osteoarthritis where the constant pounding of higher impact aerobics could cause soreness.

How can you get a low impact cardio workout? Most gyms and health clubs offer low impact aerobics classes. If classes aren't your style, there are a variety of DVD's you can use at home. An excellent one is The Firm: Total Body: Low Impact Aerobics. Probably the most popular low impact exercise is walking, although you'll need to walk at a fast pace to get a good cardiovascular workout. Other low impact cardio workouts you can experiment with are bicycling, low impact step aerobics, and stair climbing. You can always boost the intensity of these workouts by increasing the speed once you're conditioned.

Does this sound like a good option for you? Whether you're new to exercise or concerned about your joints, low impact cardio can be a great way to tone your body as well as your most important muscle, your heart.