The term low-impact training emphasizes the advantages to the body of gaining the cardio and strength benefits of exercise without  the potentially damaging effects of repeated impact with the ground.  Examples of high impact exercises include running and jumping, or anything, which includes repeated foot strikes.  Impact in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing, and in fact, under controlled circumstances, can have beneficial effect on both muscles and bones.  However, problems can come with long term, excessive impact, especially with improper form or as father time catches up with us.  The average runner exerts a force of about 3x his/her body weight when running.  So, for example, a person weight 150 pounds exerts a force of 450 pounds on the foot with each foot strike.

     For those who have developed problems with their ankles, knees and back, through repeated high-impact activities or other issues, (posture, foot problems, weight, genetics), low impact workouts can often provide all the intensity required without the deleterious impact.  Or even better, for those looking to avoid the pitfalls of high impact training later in life,  low impact raining can produce all of the benefits with none of the risks of high impact training.

     Common examples of low impact training include step classes, dance classes, mini-tramp  training, or even just walking.  These are great ways to receive the benefits of cardio training and even some resistance training (to the extent you are using your body weight to step in your step class).  You can also resistance in the form of dumbbells and barbells to low impact training to gain more of the benefits of resistance.  One of the biggest challenges in adding resistance to low-impact training is that you must often hold weights in your hands, limiting your ability to move freely through any activity, or when using barbells, improper form can itself lead to neck and back injury.

     Some turn to weighted vests to add resistance and move freely, but adding prolonged external weight to your frame can cause its own problems, because of the additional stress add to you back, hips, knees and ankles, not to mention the dramatically increased force of impact.  In the above example, someone weighing 150 pounds normally exerts 450 pounds of force on their foot when running.  If that same person added a 20-pound weight vest, the impact for would increase to 510 pound.  A 40-pound vest would mean 570 pounds, etc.  Over time, the additional mass and related impact can cause significant wear and tear on the joints.

     Providing users with a way to receive all the benefits of resistance training without the negative effects of additional mass is one of the primary reasons WearBands was invented.  WearBands is not only low impact resistance, it is no impact resistance.  In other words, no matter what activity you choose, the addition of WearBands adds zero additional impact.  So if you are looking for way to add the well-documented benefits of resistance without worrying about the negative impact of additional weight,  WearBands offers the best of both worlds.  You can be kind to your body without sacrificing results.