If you’re not a serious exerciser but still want to live a healthy lifestyle, there are some forms of physical activity that are simple, enjoyable and require little investment. These are some of the best forms of exercises for your body because not only with they help you mange your weight, you will see improvements in your mobility, coordination, balance as well as strengthen your bones and joints. No matter what your fitness level or age, these exercises will increase your cardiovascular endurance, lower your risk of heart diseases and finally, they don’t require a gym membership.

Swimming

Swimming is a low-impact physical activity that has mental health benefits as well as physical benefits that you can do throughout your lifetime. Moving your body through the resistance of the water provides an effective all-body workout. You will build endurance and muscle strength without putting any stress on your joints, making it an ideal workout for people with arthritis. A relaxing form of exercise, research shows that swimming can improve your mental state and put you in a better mood.

Cycling

Cycling is one of the simplest ways to exercise and does not require a high level of physical skill. It builds strength and muscle function, and improved mobility of hip and knees joints. Cycling is a good muscle workout as it uses the largest muscle group in the legs, raising heart rate to benefit stamina and aerobic fitness. It is a form of exercise that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine by using it as a form of transport or making it a fun family activity on the weekend.

Walking

The benefits of walking can be life changing. Simply walking 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week (combined with a healthy diet) can burn several pounds of body fat a year, halve the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, reduce stress, cholesterol and blood pressure. It is suitable for beginner exercisers as you can start with short distances and aim to increase this with pace overtime. The National Heart Foundation of Australia recommends taking 10,000 steps a day to improve general health and reduce the risk of disease. Although this might sound like a challenge, it is possible to achieve by taking “small steps” and making some simple lifestyle habits such as using the stairs or parking further away from the shops. Try waking up half an hour earlier to go for a walk, taking five-minute walking breaks throughout the day or even making walking a social activity when catching-up with friends.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that is described as ‘meditation in motion’. Good for the body and mind, it is made up of a series of graceful movements, one transitioning smoothly to the next. It is suitable for older people because it uses balancing, which is something we lose, as we get older. There is also growing evidence to suggest that Tai Chi has value in treating or improving many health problems. Although tai chi is slow and gentle and doesn’t leave you breathless, it addresses the key components of fitness – muscle strength, flexibility, balance and some aerobic conditioning.

Exercise shouldn’t have to be a chore, rather something you enjoy doing for yourself. Choose an exercise activity that you look forward to and ensure you dedicate at least thirty minutes everyday to focus on yourself. The benefits won’t only be physical, but you’ll also experience improved mental wellness.