Many seniors deal with achy joints and soreness as they get older, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the benefits of non-impact exercise. Physical activity is essential to staying healthy and living a more balanced life. Thankfully, there are many ways to break a sweat while putting minimal impact on your bones – and some workouts require no impact at all.
Non-impact exercise is ideal for individuals recovering from an injury such as a fall, or an operation like hip replacement surgery. While resting is an important part of the healing process, boosting your immune system with exercise is ideal if you want to heal faster and feel better. If you haven’t exercised in a while, non-impact options are a great way to ease yourself back into a healthy lifestyle. Here are some excellent options to get you started:
Aerobic exercise is a great way to burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time, but performing them on the floor can be painful if you suffer from weak bones or arthritis. Not only do water aerobics allow you to build muscle by pushing against the natural resistance of the water, but you will have little to no impact on your feet and knees.
Like water aerobics, swimming is a full-body workout that requires a lot of endurance and cardio activity, while also being a non-impact exercise. With swimming, both your upper and lower body are engaged, so even short swimming sprints can make a big difference in your fitness level. Even though this activity is very effective, there is no pressure put on your joints. If you are rehabbing from an injury, your doctor will likely advise you to swim or perform water aerobics, as they can help rejuvenate your muscles.
For some of us, exercise just isn’t exercise without feeling the fresh air. Cycling is perfect for those who love the great outdoors, and while it offers less impact it is nonetheless physically demanding. According to Harvard Health Publishing you can burn up to 466 calories in a 30 minute cycling session. Another great benefit of cycling is you can enjoy these workouts solo or in a group, making it very versatile. To be really kind to your joints, consider getting fitted for your bike so that you don’t overexert your knees or feet. For older adults or those with balance issues an indoor recumbent bike is a safer way to get the pleasure of cycling.
Yoga may look like a peaceful series of stretches coupled with meditation, but while that may be true, many seniors have found that they have been able to sculpt muscles and work on their balance more effectively through asanas. There are many different forms of yoga, but all typically raise your heart rate, are focused on breathing, elevate your mood and keep your weight in control. Because yoga is so focused on stretching and breathing, people with joint issues should have no problem with these movements.
Most gyms offer rowing machines, which put very little pressure on your joints. Watching someone row may look simple enough, but these machines offer a full-body fitness session that works the arms, chest, back, shoulders and legs using a graceful sliding motion. Because these movements are so fluid, rowing could also help you with range of motion and balance. Just be sure that you learn the proper technique from a gym instructor before you hop on so that you reduce your risk of injury.
Aging doesn’t mean that you have to let exercise fall by the wayside. With non-impact exercise, you can still enjoy the benefits of fitness with little to no pressure on your joints. Be sure to check with your physician before starting a new exercise regimen.
Contact the Aegis Living community near you to speak with our Life Enrichment Director and learn more about non-impact exercises we offer our residents.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.