What is the best exercise if I’m overweight?

The best exercise provides the least amount of impact or stress to your joints.

Non-impact exercise

Non-impact exercise means that your body weight is supported during the exercise, either by water, the seat of a machine, a chair or the floor.

Water exercise:

Your body weight is supported by the buoyancy of the water in these exercises:

• Water aerobics (in the deep end of the pool)

• Swimming

Exercise machines:

Your weight is supported by the seat of these machines:

• Rowing machine

• Stationary bike

• Upper body ergometer (a stationary bike for your arms)

• Seated stepper

Chair or mat exercises:

A chair or the floor supports your body weight in these exercises:

• Chair aerobics

• Pilates

• Yoga

Low-impact exercise

Low-impact exercise means that one foot is in contact with the ground at all times during the exercise.

Walking or hiking:

• Walking inside or outside

• Walking in the shallow end of a pool

• Hiking

Exercise machines:

• Elliptical machine or cross-trainer

• Stairclimber

• Stair stepper

• Treadmill (if you're walking)

Dance:

• Zumba or other forms of dance

• Step aerobics

Other:

• Rollerblading

• Ice skating

Non-weight-bearing and low-impact exercises place less stress on your joints than high impact exercise such as running. Therefore you can reduce your risk of injury and/or pain while exercising.

 

 

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