Are your community members looking for a great workout that won’t put extra stress on their joints? Low impact exercise may be the solution. These supportive workouts protect the body from impact-related injury. As people across the country discover the great benefits of low impact exercise, demand for low impact exercise equipment in parks, senior centers, and wellness facilities is growing.
If you’re interested in introducing a low impact exercise space at your facility, read on for everything you need to know about this equipment and discover our picks for the best low impact exercise equipment.
What is Low Impact Exercise Equipment?
Low impact exercise equipment is designed to provide a sufficient cardio workout while putting less stress on joints including knees, hips, and ankles. While anyone can benefit from low impact workouts, they’re particularly beneficial for seniors, people rehabilitating from injuries, and people with limited mobility. With low impact exercise equipment, they can support their health and wellbeing without further injury.
Benefits of Low Impact Exercise Equipment for Outdoor Facilities
Installing low impact exercise equipment in your facility positively impacts both your community members and your bottom line. The benefits of low impact impact exercise equipment for outdoor facilities includes:
- Greater accessibility: People of all ages can benefit from low impact exercise equipment, from teens to seniors. By installing this equipment in your facility, you can make your outdoor gym accessible to the whole community, rather than just a certain subset.
- Stronger community bonds: Building a community space that everyone can use fosters social interactions and strengthens community bonds. More positive community relationships encourage greater community responsibility and care and reduces isolation, which is a particularly common concern among senior populations.
- Less injury risk: Low impact exercise equipment lowers the risk of workout-related injuries. Not only can it improve the overall wellbeing of your community, but it can reduce the strain on your community’s healthcare system and minimize risk for your organization.
- Better mental health: Outdoor exercise offers all kinds of mental health benefits, like lowering stress, anxiety, depression, and boosting mood and self esteem.
5 Best Pieces of Exercise Equipment for Low Impact Works
Ready to install a low impact outdoor gym at your facility? Look for these pieces of low impact exercise equipment for the best possible outcomes.
Elliptical Cross Trainer
For a low impact cardiovascular workout that rivals that of a treadmill, try an elliptical cross trainer. This stationary exercise machine simulates walking, running, or climbing stairs. The user stands on two footpads and holds onto two handles that move in parallel. They move their legs and arms in a continuous, elliptical motion, engaging the cardiovascular system without putting strain on the joints. They’re a popular choice for those looking to improve their heart health, lose weight, and tone their muscles.
Air Strider
An air strider provides a low-impact workout without the need for electricity by using air as resistance. Like an elliptical, it simulates a running or walking motion, but the user glides forward and backwards rather than moving in an elliptical motion. It’s a great way to improve cardiovascular fitness and burn calories while toning the lower body. Its low impact makes the air strider a great option for people recovering from injuries or who have mobility issues.
Exercise Bike
An exercise bike simulates cycling, while remaining stationary. It allows for endurance rides, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and recovery rides with low impact and minimal joint stress. Exercise bikes engage the legs and arms, burn calories, boost endurance, and can be used for a warm up or cool down. They can be adjusted to suit different fitness levels and are easy to use for people of all ages.
For those with back injuries or lower back pain, a recumbent exercise bike is an excellent zalternative. These reclined exercise bikes provide the same workout as a stationary bike while putting even less strain on the back.
Rowing Machine
A rowing machine offers a low impact upper body workout that improves range of motion using bodyweight as resistance. It strengthens the back, shoulders, and biceps, engages the core, and provides a cardiovascular workout. Plus, it’s easy on the joints and fully adjustable to accommodate a range of mobility levels.
Balance Beam
To improve strength and balance without straining the joints, install a balance beam in your outdoor exercise space. These long, narrow platforms are most often found in gymnastic gyms, but can be beneficial in so many more applications. They engage the core and lower body without risking significant injury. Balance beams are particularly effective in combating fall risk in seniors.
What to Look For in Low Impact Exercise Equipment for Outdoor Spaces
No matter what low impact exercise equipment you install in your outdoor space, it’s important to choose equipment that’s built to last. Look for the following when making your selections:
- Durable construction: Outdoor gym equipment undergoes significant wear and tear, so it needs to be durable. Look for metal equipment made from heavy-duty steel. Never choose outdoor exercise equipment with plastic parts, as they simply won’t last.
- Weatherproofing: Depending on your location, your exercise equipment may be exposed to excessive heat, rain, snow, ice, salt spray, and more. To protect your gym from the elements, choose equipment that’s been properly weatherproofed with high-quality powder coating that resists rust and fading.
- Low-maintenance construction: The more complex the design of your low impact exercise equipment, the greater likelihood of broken parts. Instead, look for equipment with simple design and minimal moving parts.
- Stabilization features: Unstable equipment is a significant liability for your facility. Select equipment that can be bolted securely to the ground.
Source Durable Low Impact Exercise Equipment from TriActive USA
Low impact exercise equipment provides a range of benefits to your community, from greater accessibility to improved physical and mental health for people of all ages. Look for durable, weatherproof equipment with low-maintenance construction to improve the longevity of your outdoor exercise space.
Whether you’re building a low impact gym for a community space, park, or senior center, source your equipment from TriActive USA. We’re proud to offer durable and weatherproof outdoor exercise equipment that’s 100% made in the USA. Ready to discuss your products? Get a quote today.
