When you hear the words “low-impact exercise”, what comes to mind?
Something very gentle?
A class where you barely break a sweat?
Exercise that’s only suitable for older people?
There are quite a few misconceptions about low-impact fitness, but one of the biggest is that low impact automatically means easy.
It doesn’t.
You can still strengthen your muscles, improve your fitness, work on your balance, increase your mobility and challenge yourself — without spending the class jumping up and down.
And for many of the women who come to my fitness classes near Redditch, that sounds rather appealing!
Whether you’re returning to exercise after a break, going through menopause, feeling less confident in your body than you used to, or simply discovering that your knees are no longer quite as enthusiastic about jumping as you are, low-impact exercise can be a brilliant way to keep moving.
At Keep Fit with Michelle, I offer several low-impact fitness classes in Redditch, with options suitable for beginners as well as more experienced exercisers.
So, what exactly does low impact mean — and can you really get fit without jumping?
Absolutely.
What is low-impact exercise?
Low-impact exercise generally refers to activities that place less impact through the body than movements such as running and jumping.
But this is the important bit:
Low impact describes the type of movement. It doesn’t necessarily describe how hard your muscles are working.
You could be holding a pair of dumbbells and performing a controlled squat.
Your feet aren’t leaving the floor.
There’s no jumping.
But I can assure you, your legs may still know they’ve done some work!
The same applies to Pilates.
Movements may be slow and controlled, but when you’re concentrating on your core, posture and technique, slow certainly doesn’t mean ineffective.
This is why low-impact exercise can be such a useful option for people who want a worthwhile workout without lots of bouncing, jumping or complicated high-energy movements.
Is low-impact exercise only for older people?
Definitely not.
People choose low-impact fitness for all sorts of reasons.
You might be completely new to exercise.
You may be returning after years away.
You might prefer controlled strength work to jumping around.
Perhaps you want to improve your fitness but don’t enjoy running.
Maybe you already do other exercise and want some lower-impact sessions during the week.
Or perhaps you’re simply at the stage of life where you’ve realised that you don’t need to throw yourself around the room for exercise to count!
Low-impact fitness can be suitable at many different ages and fitness levels.
And although several of my classes are especially popular with women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, choosing low impact isn’t an admission that you’re getting old.
It’s simply choosing a style of exercise that suits you.
Can you actually get fit without jumping?
Yes.
Fitness is made up of much more than your ability to jump, run or do burpees.
Depending on the type of exercise you choose, you can work on:
- Strength
- Cardiovascular fitness
- Core strength
- Balance
- Coordination
- Flexibility
- Mobility
- Posture
- Muscular endurance
You don’t have to train every aspect of fitness in every single class either.
One class might concentrate more on strength.
Another may focus on mobility and flexibility.
Another might give you more of a cardiovascular workout.
This is one of the reasons I like mixing different types of exercise across the week.
There isn’t one magical class that everybody has to do.
The best exercise routine is one that suits your body, your goals and — quite importantly — one that you actually enjoy enough to continue doing.
Why do women over 40 often look for low-impact exercise?
There comes a point for many of us where our attitude towards exercise begins to change.
In our younger years, exercise may have been all about burning as many calories as possible, working up the biggest sweat or choosing the hardest class on the timetable.
Then life changes.
You may notice more stiffness.
Recovery can feel different.
Your priorities change.
You might start thinking more about maintaining your strength, staying mobile and looking after your body for the years ahead.
Perhaps you’re navigating perimenopause or menopause.
Maybe you’ve been inactive for a while and the thought of immediately launching yourself into a high-impact workout fills you with dread.
Or perhaps you simply know your body better than you used to.
That’s not giving up.
That’s exercising smarter.
You can challenge yourself without punishing yourself.
Does low impact mean I won’t get stronger?
Not at all.
Strength training doesn’t require jumping.
Your muscles become stronger when they’re challenged with appropriate resistance.
That resistance might come from:
- Dumbbells
- Weighted bars
- Resistance bands
- Pilates equipment
- Your own bodyweight
A controlled exercise performed well can be surprisingly challenging.
This is particularly relevant for women in midlife and beyond because maintaining strength becomes an increasingly important part of staying active and capable.
I recently wrote more about this in:
If you’ve never used weights before, don’t let that put you off either.
You don’t need to arrive strong.
You come to class to become stronger.
If you’d like to understand why resistance exercise becomes especially valuable in midlife, read my guide to strength training for women over 40 in Redditch..
What if I have dodgy knees?
This is something I hear quite often!
If jumping, running or high-impact movements don’t feel right for you, a lower-impact class may feel much more approachable.
However, “low impact” doesn’t automatically mean that every exercise is suitable for every person or every health condition.
We’re all different.
If you have an injury, ongoing joint problem, medical condition or you’re unsure whether a particular form of exercise is appropriate for you, it’s always sensible to get advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.
When you come to my classes, I can also offer different exercise options where appropriate so that you can work at your own level.
There is no prize for doing the hardest version of an exercise.
The aim is to find the version that works for your body.
What if I haven’t exercised for years?
Then you’re exactly the sort of person who might benefit from starting gradually.
One of the biggest barriers to fitness isn’t physical fitness at all.
It’s confidence.
You might imagine walking into a room full of super-fit people who all know exactly what they’re doing.
Meanwhile you’re at the back wondering which leg you’re supposed to be moving!
Please don’t let that stop you.
Everybody has a first class.
Everybody has exercises they find easier and exercises they find harder.
And nobody expects you to arrive already knowing everything.
At Keep Fit with Michelle, the aim is to create an environment where you can work at your own pace without feeling judged or under pressure to keep up with somebody else.
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/redditch-fitness-classes-for-beginners/
Which low-impact fitness classes do you offer near Redditch?
If you’re searching for low-impact fitness classes in Redditch, there are a few different options at Keep Fit with Michelle depending on what you’d like to achieve.
Women’s Strength & Stretch
If your main goal is to become stronger while also improving mobility and flexibility, Women’s Strength & Stretch is a great place to start.
This is a low-impact full-body strength class using dumbbells, followed by stretching and mobility work.
There is:
- No jumping
- No high-intensity cardio
- No complicated choreography
- No floor work
Instead, the focus is on controlled strength exercises that can help you feel stronger and more capable in everyday life.
It’s particularly popular with women over 40 and beginners are very welcome. https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/classes/womens-strength-stretch/
Weights for Women
If you want to focus more specifically on building strength with weights, my Weights for Women class is another low-impact option.
This women-only class uses equipment including weighted bars and dumbbells to work the upper body, lower body and core.
There’s no complicated choreography and no need to be experienced with weights before you come.
You can start with lighter weights and gradually increase them as your confidence and strength improve.
It’s a great choice if you want to become stronger, improve your muscular endurance and feel more capable in everyday life — all in a friendly class environment rather than a traditional gym setting.
And despite being low impact, it can still be a really effective workout. https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/classes/weights-for-women/
Pilates
Pilates is another fantastic low-impact option.
My Pilates classes near Redditch use controlled movements to work on core strength, posture, balance, flexibility and mobility.
We also use equipment such as Pilates rings, mini balls and light weights to add variety and challenge.
Exercises have different levels, so you don’t need to be an experienced Pilates expert before you arrive.
Quite the opposite — beginners are very welcome.
Pilates is a good reminder that an exercise doesn’t need to be fast to be effective.
Sometimes moving more slowly makes you concentrate even harder! https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/classes/pilates/
Body Blitz
If you like the idea of something a little more energetic but still want to avoid high-impact exercise, Body Blitz is another option.
It’s a fun, low-impact workout that combines cardiovascular exercise and strength work, giving you a varied full-body session.
This may suit you if you want to work on your overall fitness and enjoy an upbeat class without lots of jumping.
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/classes/body-blitz/
Body Boost
If you enjoy working to upbeat dance music and want a varied full-body workout, Body Boost could be a great choice.
Body Boost is a low-impact dumbbell workout set to upbeat dance music, combining different types of exercise to work on:
- Cardiovascular fitness
- Strength
- Coordination
- Mobility
- Muscular endurance
The class gives you an all-round workout without relying on high-impact movements, and the exercises are varied to keep things interesting.
It’s a great option if you like exercising to music and want to improve several areas of your fitness in one class.
You can work at your own level and choose dumbbells that are appropriate for you, so there’s no need to worry if you’re fairly new to strength-based exercise.
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/classes/body-boost/
Kettlebell Boost
If you’d like to build strength while also working on your overall fitness, Kettlebell Boost is another brilliant low-impact option.
Kettlebells are incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide range of exercises that challenge different muscle groups while also helping improve fitness, coordination and confidence.
In Kettlebell Boost, you’ll learn how to use kettlebells safely and effectively while working at a pace and weight that suits you.
The class is low impact, but that certainly doesn’t mean your muscles won’t be working!
Kettlebell exercises can provide a fantastic full-body workout and are a great way to add something different to your weekly exercise routine.
And if you’ve never picked up a kettlebell before, don’t worry.
You don’t need to know all the exercises before you come — I’ll guide you through the movements and help you choose an appropriate weight.
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/classes/kettlebell-boost/
Over 50s Fitness
If you’re over 50 and would like a varied class designed around staying active as you get older, you may also enjoy my Over 50s Fitness class.
We work on areas including strength, balance, mobility, cardiovascular fitness and everyday movement.
And there’s another very important ingredient:
Plenty of great 60s and 70s music!
Fitness should be good for your mood as well as your body.
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/classes/over-50s-fitness/
Which low-impact class is best for me?
That depends on what you enjoy and what you’d like to work on.
If you want to build strength without cardio or jumping, Women’s Strength & Stretch or Weights For Women could be ideal.
If you want to improve core strength, flexibility, posture and controlled movement, try Pilates.
If you want an upbeat combination of cardiovascular exercise and strength work, take a look at Body Blitz.
If you enjoy dumbbell exercises, dance music and a varied full-body workout, Body Boost could be right up your street.
If you’d like to build strength and fitness while learning how to use kettlebells, try Kettlebell Boost.
And if you’re over 50 and want a varied class focusing on strength, balance, mobility and general fitness, Over 50s Fitness might be a good choice.
You don’t necessarily have to choose just one either.
In fact, combining different types of classes during the week can be a great way to work on different aspects of your fitness while keeping your exercise routine varied and enjoyable.
You might choose Pilates one day for core strength and mobility, Body Boost or Body Blitz when you fancy something more energetic, and Strength & Stretch or Kettlebell Boost when you want to concentrate more on strength.
The important thing is finding a mixture that you enjoy enough to keep doing.
Do I need to be flexible to do Pilates?
No!
This is a bit like thinking you need to be strong before strength training.
You don’t have to be flexible before you start Pilates.
Improving your mobility and flexibility can be part of the reason you come.
Some people naturally have more flexibility than others.
That’s fine.
We’re not holding auditions for Cirque du Soleil!
You work with the body you’ve got, at the level you’re at now.
Will I still feel like I’ve had a workout?
Absolutely!
A workout doesn’t have to leave you collapsed in a heap on the floor to have been worthwhile.
I actually think we’ve done exercise a bit of a disservice over the years by making people believe that unless you’re exhausted, dripping with sweat and unable to walk downstairs the next morning, you somehow haven’t worked hard enough.
Exercise doesn’t need to punish you.
A successful class might leave you feeling pleasantly tired.
It might leave your muscles knowing they’ve worked.
It might make you feel more mobile.
You might walk out standing a little taller.
Or you might simply notice, after a few weeks, that everyday things are starting to feel easier.
Those things count too.
Where are your low-impact fitness classes in Redditch?
My classes take place at Mappleborough Green Village Hall, between Redditch and Studley.
There’s free parking and all the equipment you’ll need for class is provided.
So there’s no need to buy a collection of dumbbells, Pilates rings and mysterious-looking fitness equipment before your first session!
Just wear comfortable clothes you can move in, bring some water and come along.
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/timetable/
What happens if I’m nervous about coming alone?
Come anyway.
I know that’s easier said than done, but so many people tell me they were nervous before their first class.
The hardest part is often getting through the door.
Once you’re in, I’ll explain what we’re doing and help you find your feet.
You don’t have to stand at the front.
You don’t have to know anyone.
And you certainly don’t have to prove how fit you are.
My classes are about helping real people become fitter, stronger and more confident — not seeing who can survive the toughest workout!
Looking for low-impact fitness classes in Redditch?
If you’ve been putting off exercise because you don’t want to run, jump or throw yourself into a high-intensity workout, there are plenty of other ways to get moving.
Low-impact exercise doesn’t have to mean doing nothing.
You can challenge your muscles.
You can improve your fitness.
You can become stronger.
You can work on your balance and mobility.
And most importantly, you can find a type of exercise that you actually look forward to.
At Keep Fit with Michelle, I offer friendly fitness classes at Mappleborough Green Village Hall, conveniently located between Redditch and Studley.
Beginners are welcome and you can work at a level that’s right for you.
Take a look at my timetable and find your next class.
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/timetable/
Or explore all of my fitness classes in Redditch to see which one sounds right for you. https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/fitness-classes-in-redditch/
You don’t have to jump to make progress.
Sometimes you just need to make that first step.
See you in class!
Michelle 💜
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best low-impact exercise for beginners?
There isn’t one exercise that’s best for everybody. Pilates, controlled strength training and low-impact cardiovascular exercise can all be good options. The best place to start is with a class that suits your goals, current ability and what you enjoy.
Can I get fit with low-impact exercise?
Yes. Low-impact exercise can still challenge your muscles and cardiovascular system depending on the activity and intensity. A varied routine can include strength, cardiovascular fitness, balance, mobility and flexibility work without relying on jumping or running.
What low-impact fitness classes are available in Redditch?
Keep Fit with Michelle offers several options including Pilates, Women’s Strength & Stretch and low-impact Body Blitz sessions at Mappleborough Green Village Hall, between Redditch and Studley.
Are low-impact classes suitable for women over 40?
They can be an excellent option for women over 40, particularly if you want to work on strength, mobility, flexibility and general fitness without lots of jumping or high-impact movement.
Can beginners join your Redditch fitness classes?
Yes. Beginners are welcome at Keep Fit with Michelle and exercises can be adapted where appropriate so you can work at your own level.
Where are the classes held?
Classes take place at Mappleborough Green Village Hall, Birmingham Road, Studley, B80 7BT, on the border between Redditch and Studley. Free parking is available and class equipment is provided. https://maps.app.goo.gl/5NU3thMLcDRjJvZJ9
