My Favorite Low-Impact Workouts

By: Dakota D. Duran

If you’re anything like the majority of modern-day society, “working out more” definitely made the top of your “2024 Resolutions” list. But, I know how hard it is to actually complete that goal, especially if you’re like me and did not inherit the lovely gene of athleticism. 

While my father prayed for me to become a D1 athlete, I went the entire opposite route, taking an interest in the arts. Even though my favorite activities consist of writing, photography, and styling, I still try to put an effort into working out, as I know how beneficial it is for my body, both physically and mentally.

However, because I don’t favor a workout where I end up dripping in sweat and being entirely out of breath, I have taken the time to figure out what works best for me and what I can handle, while still feeling like I got my heart rate up and can see progress. Here are my favorite low-impact workouts that don’t leave me feeling like I am training for the Olympics: 

Pilates 

While I first started doing Pilates solely for the “Pilates Princess” aesthetic, I actually ended up loving it. First, you get to wear the cutest outfit (which I obviously love), but you are also doing slow, steady movements to your body, which rarely makes you break a sweat. The machine can be hard to figure out at first, but with the right instructor, you will have an amazing time. I have found Pilates to be an easy way to tone my body, while also giving me the time to give it a nice stretch. I leave every class feeling like I got a good workout, even though there is not a drop of sweat coming off of my body. I tend to go about two times a week to see results, and this has definitely become one of my favorite Sunday activities.

SoulCycle 

Imagine you are at a club, with a disco ball spinning around and your favorite songs playing. Amazing right? Now, just imagine riding a stationary bike while all of that is going on (it’s the best workout of your entire life). I tried a Taylor Swift SoulCycle class for the first time last year, and that one singular class has made me religiously attend almost every class offered. I became obsessed. I have never had a bad experience with any instructor, and even as a first-timer, they were so helpful and welcoming. There are different themed classes, ranging from Drake, ODESZA, and Nicki Minaj (my personal favorite). I love SoulCycle as it just feels like I’m at a party while working out. I’ve put so many of my friends onto the SoulCycle wave, and they have enjoyed it as well. On top of this, they also have the cutest merch - what more can you ask for? 

12/3/30 

On the days I do end up going to the gym, I mainly just do the light cardio workout of 12/3/30, while doing a mini-ab workout and some light lifting. 12/3/30 is when you put the incline of the treadmill to 12, put the speed at 3, and walk for 30 minutes. Even though it is such a simple exercise, you can still feel like you got a really good workout in and see the results. I enjoy putting on a show while doing this, as it often makes the time go by a lot faster. I usually do this workout in between my SoulCycle and Pilates classes, as I try to stay active throughout the week.