The Best Low-Impact Exercises for Joint Health

Maintaining mobility and comfort as we age or recover from injuries is what keeps us living life. Exercise is one of the primary ways to improve our overall well-being, but high-impact activities can sometimes place too much stress on the joints. Low-impact exercises provide movement benefits without unnecessary strain and are more attainable for people less experienced in fitness or who have limitations. We’ll highlight the best low-impact options for joint health that are easy to fit into your schedule and lifestyle. 

What Exercises Are Low-Impact on Joints?

Low-impact exercises are those that minimize stress on the joints while still promoting flexibility, strength, and endurance. These activities can be beneficial for individuals experiencing joint discomfort, recovering from injuries, or simply looking for gentler workout options. Low-impact doesn’t mean fewer benefits, either! These activities still provide significant contributions to your overall well-being without the risks high-impact work poses.

Best Exercises for Joint Health

• Swimming and Water Aerobics: Water-based activities are excellent for joint health because the buoyancy of water reduces the impact on joints. Swimming helps improve cardiovascular health while allowing for a full range of motion with minimal stress.
• Cycling: Both stationary bikes and outside bikes provide low-impact activity that strengthens leg muscles while keeping pressure off the knees and hips.
• Walking: Walking is one of the simplest yet most effective low-impact exercises. It helps maintain joint health and mobility, improves circulation, and supports cardiovascular health.
• Yoga and Stretching: Incorporating yoga into your routine can enhance flexibility, balance, and muscle strength while minimizing joint stress. Stretching daily may improve your range of motion and reduce stiffness, and it provides mental benefits along with mindfulness practice.
• Pilates: Pilates is a controlled movement-based exercise that focuses on core strength, stability, and flexibility. It is particularly beneficial for supporting proper posture and alignment, which can help ease joint strain.
• Elliptical: An elliptical machine provides a smooth, gliding motion that mimics running but without the impact of pounding steps on hard surfaces.
• Tai Chi: This gentle martial art emphasizes slow, flowing movements that promote balance, flexibility, and relaxation. It is particularly beneficial for those looking to maintain joint mobility.

What Is Good for Joint Health Beyond Exercise?

In addition to regular movement, maintaining joint health requires a holistic approach that includes what we put in our bodies and how we recover. A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, can support joint function, while staying hydrated helps keep cartilage healthy and reduces stiffness. Rest and recovery prevent overuse injuries and can be supplemented with tools like Juvent’s Micro-Impact Platform®. Unlike vibration plates or other exercise equipment, Juvent’s platform delivers precise, low-magnitude mechanical stimulation that clients enjoy as part of their warmup, cooldown, or rest day routine. The frequencies from the simple-to-use platform may help individuals stay active and comfortable. 

Support Your Joint Health

Exercise and joint health go hand in hand, and choosing the right activities can make a significant difference in maintaining mobility and comfort. Low-impact exercises such as swimming, cycling, and yoga should have a place in everyone’s life to stay active without placing unnecessary strain on the joints. Combining your activity with additional approaches like Juvent’s Micro-Impact Platform may further support joint well-being and elevate your wellness to the next level. You only get one body in life; it’s up to you to keep it in top shape! 

FDA Disclosure

In the US, the Juvent device is considered investigational for the treatment of osteoporosis or improvement/maintenance of bone mineral density and our claims have not been reviewed or cleared by the FDA to treat any disease or condition. (2) Calculated over the 20+ year expected life of a Juvent. The JUVENT® Micro-Impact Platform® is Registered as a Class I medical device for exercise and rehabilitation. JUVENT products are covered by the following issued patents, pending patents and their foreign equivalents: 6,843,776 6,884,2277,094211 7,207,954 7,207,955 7,985,191 8,114,036 11/369,611 11/486,538. Juvent, Dynamic Motion Therapy, Micro-Impact Platform, and the symbol are Registered trademarks of Regenerative Technologies Corporation.