3 Ways to Exercise Without Pain
By Genevieve Cunningham
No pain, no gain. You’ve heard this saying, right? In short, this saying means your workouts have to hurt if you want to see any progress. But is this old adage true? Does working out really have to hurt? Or are there effective ways to get fit that don’t include pain? While a little bit of soreness during or after a workout is completely OK, exercise doesn’t actually have to hurt in order to see and feel progress. If you would like to improve your health without experiencing pain or discomfort, take a look at these great exercises to try today.
Get Into Walking
Walking can be a really effective exercise. But if you want to get the most good from a walking routine, it’s best to really get into it. Find new trails, use ankle weights or backpacks, transition into hiking, or do some speed walking. This is a low-impact, adaptable, enjoyable way to improve your health and get in better shape.
Go for a Swim
Swimming is challenging. It works every muscle in the body, taxes the lungs, and definitely burns calories. But because the water is relaxing and because the buoyancy creates a weightless feeling, swimming is an excellent, mostly painless, enjoyable exercise to add to your routine. Find a pool, take a dip, and do a few laps of your favorite stroke. Swimming can help you get in shape without the frustrating side effects of stiff muscles and sore spots.
Try Yoga
Some kinds of yoga can really hurt. If you’ve never tried yoga, jumping into hot yoga or something similarly challenging is bound to make you sore. But if you join a beginner’s class, it can actually feel really good while still creating a challenge. Most yoga classes offer modifications for those who can’t quite do each move, and in a beginner level course, the flow is gentle on the body. Yoga can expand flexibility, burn calories, and get you in overall better shape, but without that soreness deep in your joints and muscles.
A little pain in a workout is probably OK. It can be beneficial to really push and challenge your body. But it’s not necessary in order to see progress in your health and fitness journey. Use these exercises to get in a great workout without the discomfort. With a little push in the right direction, you’ll be headed toward a better body and better health before you know it.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Glen Allen, Va.