It has long been known that exercise improves brain function and helps prevent cognitive decline, especially in older people. Specifically, aerobic exercise helps people function better, both physically and mentally. And it helps to regulate mood and behavior. We can use all the help we can get for our mood right now, right? As we’re staying home more, it’s a bit more difficult to get some aerobic (or any) exercise in. I want to share the best low impact exercise equipment you can use at home. And at the end, you’ll find a video on Yoga for Beginners.
I’m sure you know that low impact exercise means low impact on your feet, knees, hips so you have less risk of injury, short or long term. Some good examples are stationary bikes, trampolines, yoga, dancing, resistance training and weights, situps, and pushups. Jogging or jumping on a hard surface is high impact on your feet and joints.
There are a lot of reasons to stay active. In reviewing some research, I found an article called Physical Activity and Brain Health by Italian researchers, Di Liegro, C., Schiera, G., Prioa, P., and Di Liegro, I. (2019). In it, they describe a lot of research on exercise and brain health. And it’s not just brain health exercise effects, it’s total health. Exercise affects insulin resistance positively, it actually increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), important for protecting cells in the brain, and even affects longevity.
Related Article: Does Exercise Help Brain Function?
The US Department of Health and Human Services came out with some guidelines in 2018, called the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Here is a graphic to illustrate them:
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I know of some great equipment you can have delivered so you can get started right away. Here are what I think are the best for at home use.
Bowflex Fitness Equipment
Bowflex has some really excellent exercise equipment. And they even offer financing and assembly by certified technicians, out in your garage or front step. I think the C6 stationary bike is a really great deal, compared to some of the equipment out there. I did a great deal of research to bring you the best. Click the bike to see more and financing options.Â
Related Article: Best Exercises for Brain Health
Total Gym
Total Gym is a full gym in one. You may have seen this on infomercials with Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley. Now you can get it direct. They have multiple setups and prices to fit your needs. There are 12 resistance levels from beginner to more advanced. One thing to note, it is shipped fully assembled, so you don’t have to hassle putting it together. It’s ready to go! Check it out.
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JumpsportÂ
Jumpsport has fantastic fitness trampolines, also called rebounders. And if you’ve looked around at other fitness equipment, you’ll really understand what a great deal these are. This is a great way to get some low impact aerobic activity in at home. There is a foldable model so it’s easy to store. 🙂 Handles are available if you feel a little unstable.Â
I use a rebounder to lightly jog or dance to music. Since it bounces, you’re not hurting your knees, ankles, or hips like on a hard surface. And it’s fun!
Walmart Has Exercise Equipment
Walmart has all kinds of exercise equipment that’s very affordable. Here is an under desk exercise bike. The ratings are really good especially considering the low price. Exercise while you work! It’s kind of a passive way to be active. 🙂
I also love these exercise bands. An inexpensive way to get some strength and resistance training.
If you haven’t yet, I hope you add some fitness to your stay-at-home routine. The equipment featured here just shows you can still get great exercise while staying at home. You’ll feel so much better and get healthier in the process. And you don’t have to spend a fortune either.
Yoga Video
Here’s a great instruction video for the true beginner of Yoga. Enjoy!
Thanks for reading today. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the Comments section below.
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References:
Di Liegro CM, Schiera G, Proia P, Di Liegro I. Physical Activity and Brain Health. Genes (Basel). 2019;10(9):720. Published 2019 Sep 17. doi:10.3390/genes10090720 Physical Activity and Brain Health – PubMed (nih.gov)
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Hi!
The low desk exercise bike looks great! I did not know they existed. You can just place them under your desk and train your leg muscles while doing office work. That’s so cool. A trampoline is also awesome to have. I was once staying at a house for a few months and there was a huge trampoline. I had so much fun jumping around on it and I decided then that I wanted to get one. They are such fun and great exercise!
I know right? Even the small trampolines make it funner to exercise. Thanks for reading and commenting, Christine!
Hello Paula 🙂
thanks for this awesome piece on the best low impact exercise equipment as it is something that is needed to stay sane during this time.
I am going to start trying yoga as i have heard it has so many amazing benefits and what better time than now to make it a habit.
I enjoyed and would use the beginners yoga video you provided to get started.
I really need to add some fitness to my stay at home routine as i am now friends with the refrigerator.
Thanks for reading. Haha.. I think a lot of people are friends with their refrigerator. Thanks for commenting. Good luck with the yoga!
Hi,
I’ve been working out at home lately because all the gyms are closed and I think working out in my living room is actually pretty fun, especially when you get the whole family involved. Although I only have some dumbbells I want to get a total gym. Where do you recommend the best place for it, especially for a newbie like me? Thanks.
I think either the bowflex or Total Gym would be great. The links take you to the sites where you can shop. 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thank you for sharing this. I have an older friend in her 60’s who’s scared to do any exercise. She’s overweight and doesn’t want to do anything about it. She says that when she walks or moves too fast she gets dizzy, maybe some of these low impact exercises would be the best thing for her because she doesn’t want to jog or ride a bikeÂ
Sounds like a good fit for her, Joshua. Thanks so much for reading and responding.Â