The idea of bouncing around during burpees can be an unappealing prospect, especially if you have an old knee or hip injury to worry about. Luckily, you don't have to endure high-impact exercises to get a great workout.
There are plenty of jump-free bodyweight exercises that can still get your heart pumping and muscles burning. We love these kinds of moves because they're gentle on the joints and require minimal equipment — usually just your best yoga mat.
This workout from personal trainer Rachael Sacerdoti uses seven low-impact exercises to target muscles across your entire body.
"This routine puts minimal strain on the joints and bones, so you are less likely to aggravate or further injure yourself," Sacerdoti tells Fit&Well. "In addition, this workout is brilliant for increasing muscle strength and tone, enhancing flexibility and balance, and helping with weight management."
How to do Rachael Sacerdoti's low-impact full-body workout
Perform the seven exercises as a circuit, resting as little as possible between each one. Repeat this circuit for three total rounds to complete the workout.
If you're new to any of these moves, you can watch the videos above for a demonstration of each one from Sacerdoti herself.
Speaking to Fit&Well about the exercises, Sacerdoti advised that they target muscle groups across the legs, arms, back and core. Some of the moves, like the leg half circles, will also challenge your flexibility. In brief, it's a comprehensive full-body session, but one that puts minimal strain on injury-prone joints like the knees.
Advice for tackling this workout
We asked Sacerdoti to provide some top tips for anyone preparing to tackle this workout, and she delivered.
- Pay close attention to your form during each exercise to ensure you are performing them correctly and safely. Proper form will help you get the most out of each movement and reduce the risk of injury.
- If you feel any discomfort or pain during the workout, modify the exercises as needed or take a break. It's essential to work within your comfort level and gradually progress.
- Feel free to take short breaks between exercises if required. Focus on completing each exercise with good form rather than rushing through them.
- Always warm up before exercising, and finish with a cool down to help your heart rate and breathing return to normal gradually.
In addition to this, we'd advise that you fuel up properly before and after you work out. It's important to stay hydrated (make sure you've got your best gym water bottle to hand before you start the routine) and get an adequate amount of protein in your diet. This will help your muscles to repair themselves after grueling exercise sessions.
