What is a Low Impact Cardio Blast Workout?

A low impact cardio blast workout refers to a workout that is tough on the heart but easy on the joints. Essentially, the focus is on cardiovascular stimulation rather than weight lifting or anything of that nature. Generally speaking, a low impact cardio blast workout is ideal for an exercise enthusiast of the intermediate or advanced level; a beginner may find this type of workout to be a bit overwhelming and should work on their endurance before giving it a try. If you think that this type of workout routine may prove beneficial, then read on for a few exercise suggestions.

Warming up is an essential part of any workout. A good warm up should last around three minutes; don't overdo it. Stretching is a good way to warm up before engaging in physical activity. Proper stretching can also prevent many injuries that are associated with exercising. When stretching, make sure to work as many muscles as possible. It's also a good idea to do some very brief cardio. Walking or jogging in place is a great way to break a sweat and get the momentum going. Once that's taken care of, it's time to move on to the fun stuff.

Now, one of my personal favorites is the side lunge with punch. The exercise is just what it sounds like- a lunge to the side followed by a punch. This exercise works your legs, arms, abs, and provides a great cardio activity. From a standing position, you will turn to the right, placing your left foot straight back and bending your right knee into a lunge while punching the air with your left arm. Follow this motion by bringing your left foot back and then repeating the motion in the opposite direction. You'll want to perform this action repeatedly, moving as quickly as you can for about a minute. Make sure to maintain proper posture and form- you don't want to pull anything or put unnecessary stress on any part of your body. Plus, not maintaining proper form for the exercise can make the action less effective; use a mirror to ensure that you are performing the exercise correctly, if you're having trouble.

Another great exercise is the side lunge with windmill arms. For this exercise, you will begin by standing with your legs wide apart and your arms held straight out, parallel to the floor. Bend your right knee into a side lunge and bring your left arm down towards the foot. Repeat this action on the opposite side. The faster you go, and the lower you lunge, the harder this exercise is. I love this exercise for just that reason; by adjusting your movements you can adapt this exercise to your own personal skill/ability level; in other words, you can adapt this to work for you at any stage of your athletic development.

As with warming up, cooling down is an important part of the low impact cardio blast workout. If you warm up by jogging in place, as I tend to do, then you should consider simply walking in place as a great exercise to cool down. Just maintain a slow and steady pace, don't get carried away; the point here is to gradually bring down your heart rate and cool down. Once you've done that, you might want to consider stretching one final time. It can work wonders when it comes to relaxing your muscles and preventing spasms- at least, it does for me.

The low impact cardio blast workout is a great way to engage in effective physical activity within the time constraints of a typical day. Obviously, before beginning any new workout regimen, you'll want to discuss your goals and thoughts with your primary care physician. Since they have access to your health record, they'll be able to offer you some valuable advice and insight. As with any new workout plan, the key is to start slow and work up to the bigger stuff. If you're just beginning to work out regularly, then a low impact cardio blast workout should not be your first routine. Build up your resistance and endurance levels before moving on. A strong foundation will enable you to achieve even better results with your workout. Good luck!