{"id":9759,"date":"2024-01-10T21:14:26","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T14:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9759"},"modified":"2024-01-10T21:14:26","modified_gmt":"2024-01-10T14:14:26","slug":"soft-workouts-how-to-do-them-and-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9759","title":{"rendered":"Soft Workouts: How To Do Them and Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">W<\/span>orkouts don&#8217;t have to be push-you-to-the-brink intense in order to be effective. As of late, the idea of a gentler approach to exercise has risen in popularity on social media, on fitness apps, and in boutique fitness classes alike: soft workouts.<\/p>\n<p>Soft workouts comprise of low-impact exercises, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-mile-day\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-mile-day\/\">walking<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/beginner-pilates-workout\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/beginner-pilates-workout\/\">Pilates<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/what-is-pickleball\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/what-is-pickleball\/\">pickleball<\/a>. While the intent is to move your body in a non-strenuous way, the most important part is to have fun while doing it. If you&#8217;re interested in trying soft workouts for yourself, here&#8217;s what you need to know.<\/p>\n<h2>What are soft workouts?<\/h2>\n<p>Soft workouts are low-impact (meaning they\u2019re gentle on your joints) and suitable for people of varying fitness levels or who have certain physical conditions that require modifications. (Always get the green light from your doctor before trying any new form of exercise!)<\/p>\n<p>The goal is \u201cto keep the body moving without putting larger amounts of stress on it\u2014the way that running or intense cardio can do,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solidcore.co\/corporate-team\/taylor-bogenschuetz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.solidcore.co\/corporate-team\/taylor-bogenschuetz\/\">Taylor Bogenschuetz, CPT<\/a>, personal trainer and director of training and development at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solidcore.co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.solidcore.co\/\">Solidcore<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>The rise of soft workouts<\/h2>\n<p>Four of the top 10 workouts of last year named in <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%3Fid%3D104860X1561639%26xs%3D1%26xcust%3DSTMSFT-1148363%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fclasspass.com%252Fblog%252F2023-classpass-look-back-report%252F&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fsoft-workouts%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/classpass.com\/blog\/2023-classpass-look-back-report\/\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=104860X1561639&amp;xs=1&amp;xcust=STMSFT-1148363&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fclasspass.com%2Fblog%2F2023-classpass-look-back-report%2F\">ClassPass\u2019s 2023 Look Back Report<\/a> fall into the &#8220;soft&#8221; category. Pilates\u2014a soft workout\u2014earned top billing for most popular workout of the year, with a 92 percent increase in bookings from 2022. Meanwhile, low-intensity training slid into the list at number 10, an increase of 176 percent from last year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline text-h5 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/soft-workouts\/\" current-title=\"This Celebrity Trainer Incorporates \u2018Soft Workouts\u2019 Into Her Daily Movement\u2014Here\u2019s Why You Should Too\" current-image=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/GettyImages-1364534266-425x285_418x278_true_70.webp\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-07-10\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/soft-workouts\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/soft-workouts\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/soft-workouts\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindbodyonline.com\/sites\/default\/files\/public\/education\/learning-assets\/Averta-IHRSA-Deck-smaller.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.mindbodyonline.com\/sites\/default\/files\/public\/education\/learning-assets\/Averta-IHRSA-Deck-smaller.pdf\">2023 MindBody Wellness Index Report<\/a>, the top workout motivator was \u201cto live a long healthy life.\u201d This is a notable departure from the <a href=\"https:\/\/brand.mindbodyonline.com\/m\/6c4f9e2aeaaf10fc\/original\/2019_Fitness_in_America-Report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/brand.mindbodyonline.com\/m\/6c4f9e2aeaaf10fc\/original\/2019_Fitness_in_America-Report.pdf\">2019 report<\/a>, which found the biggest motivation was \u201cto lose and control weight.\u201d The change is one <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%3Fid%3D104860X1561639%26xs%3D1%26xcust%3DSTMSFT-560203%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fthesculptsociety.com%252Fpages%252Fmeet-megan&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fsoft-workouts%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/thesculptsociety.com\/pages\/meet-megan\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=104860X1561639&amp;xs=1&amp;xcust=STMSFT-560203&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesculptsociety.com%2Fpages%2Fmeet-megan\">Megan Roup<\/a>, celebrity trainer and founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%3Fid%3D104860X1561639%26xs%3D1%26xcust%3DSTMSFT-1049969%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fthesculptsociety.com%252F&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fsoft-workouts%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/thesculptsociety.com\/\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=104860X1561639&amp;xs=1&amp;xcust=STMSFT-1049969&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesculptsociety.com%2F\">The Sculpt Society<\/a>, has noticed within her followers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have definitely experienced a shift in what our community wants,\u201d she says. \u201cThere\u2019s a power in consistent, short workouts, and a lot of our members experience a mindset shift. We find people come for the results and stay for the feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cI think the more awareness we can bring to support our body each day depending on how we are feeling, the better.\u201d \u2014Megan Roup, founder of The Sculpt Society<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>The benefits of soft workouts<\/h2>\n<h3>1. They\u2019re great for beginners<\/h3>\n<p>One of the benefits of soft workouts is they lack the intimidation factor many people feel when starting a new routine that might feel intense, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/best-weights-for-beginners\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/best-weights-for-beginners\/\">weight training<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCreating a habit around movement is so important because for a lot of people, it feels overwhelming to move daily or a couple of times a week,\u201d Roup says. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/low-intensity-vs-low-impact-workouts\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/low-intensity-vs-low-impact-workouts\/\">Low-impact workouts<\/a> are a gentle way for those looking to incorporate a regular movement practice sustainably. Not to mention, they\u2019re easier to start for beginners.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>2. They decrease the risk of injury to joints and tendons<\/h3>\n<p>When you do a low-intensity, low-impact workout that involves increased body awareness and gradual progression, your joints and tendons are better protected. \u201cThe dynamic movements target specific muscle groups to promote mobility and flexibility,\u201d Bogenschuetz says.<\/p>\n<p>The more supple your joints and tendons, the less likely they are to become injured. Tight and stiff joints, however, are more prone to injury, per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stanfordchildrens.org\/en\/topic\/default?id=avoiding-joint-injuries-1-2842\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.stanfordchildrens.org\/en\/topic\/default?id=avoiding-joint-injuries-1-2842\">Stanford Medicine<\/a>. Plus, with a slow and steady approach to the movements, you\u2019re less likely to overwork your joints and tendons, which is a main cause of injury.<\/p>\n<h3>3. They improve balance and mobility<\/h3>\n<p>Your balance and mobility also benefits from soft workouts. That\u2019s because there\u2019s a focus on controlled movements, stability, and increased flexibility\u2014all of which help to improve overall strength and coordination.<\/p>\n<p>When you use a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/what-are-pilates-reformer-classes\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/what-are-pilates-reformer-classes\/\">Pilates reformer machine<\/a>, for instance, your balance and mobility improves as \u201cyou\u2019re working your core in a way that forces you to activate your stabilizer muscles [smaller muscles that support a specific movement],\u201d Bogenschuetz says.<\/p>\n<h3>4. They can improve your mind-body connection<\/h3>\n<p>Alongside the physical benefits of soft workouts, it\u2019s great for the mind-body connection as well. TikTok user <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@rachel_stahlke\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@rachel_stahlke\/\">Rachel Stahlke<\/a> recently took to the social media platform to share just how much her life had changed after incorporating soft workouts into her routine.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI thought that doing HIIT [high-intensity interval training] five times a week was good for my body. Turns out all it was doing was spiking my cortisol and keeping my body super inflamed because it wasn\u2019t happy,\u201d she says in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@rachel_stahlke\/video\/7278802461782002986\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@rachel_stahlke\/video\/7278802461782002986\">TikTok video<\/a>, adding that she would dread doing it and therefore saw it as a punishment.<\/p>\n<p>Bogenschuetz has witnessed this with her clients, too.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCortisol is one of the many hormones our body produces to help manage stress, including physical stress,\u201d she says. \u201cWhen we over-engage in sudden intense levels of activity\u2014like sprinting on a treadmill\u2014this stress on the body may result in an influx in cortisol, which can negatively impact our energy levels, physical strength, mood, sleep patterns, and weaken our immune system.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stahlke stopped doing HIIT and turned to Pilates. \u201cNot only did my body love it, my mind loved it\u2014it became 45 to 50 minutes straight of meditation, and it changed the way I viewed fitness.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Roup recently introduced <a href=\"https:\/\/app.thesculptsociety.com\/sculpt-sync-move-through-each-phase-of-your-cycle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/app.thesculptsociety.com\/sculpt-sync-move-through-each-phase-of-your-cycle\">Sculpt + Sync<\/a>\u2014a program that helps people with periods adapt their workouts to each phase of their cycle\u2014into The Sculpt Society\u2019s fitness app as a way to encourage people to listen to their bodies while exercising.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think the more awareness we can bring to support our body each day depending on how we are feeling, the better,\u201d she says. \u201cI am always adjusting my workouts depending on how I am feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>A sample soft workout to try<\/h2>\n<p>Check out Bogenschuetz\u2019s 15-minute core workout below. Take your time, as going slow is key to reaping the physical and mental benefits. Repeat this sequence three to four times through.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>60-second <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/plank-for-beginners\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/plank-for-beginners\/\">plank<\/a><\/li>\n<li>20 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/get-better-at-sit-ups\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/get-better-at-sit-ups\/\">sit-ups<\/a>, counting to four on the way down<\/li>\n<li>60-second <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-do-a-side-plank\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-do-a-side-plank\/\">side plank<\/a> (right side)<\/li>\n<li>20 tabletop crunches (Tip: Try putting a block or similar object between your inner thighs to make holding a tabletop position easier)<\/li>\n<li>60-second side plank (left side)<\/li>\n<li>20 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/russian-twist-exercise\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/russian-twist-exercise\/\">Russian twists\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>60-second plank, dipping your hips to one side at a time so you target your obliques, the muscles that run along the sides of your abs<\/li>\n<li>20 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-do-bicycle-kicks\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-do-bicycle-kicks\/\">bicycle kicks\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom line<\/h2>\n<p>Soft workouts may be a rising trend, but they\u2019re here to stay. Not only do they offer a gentler and kinder approach to movement, but they also provide numerous physical and mental benefits. While there\u2019s nothing wrong with breaking a sweat, soft workouts may be a missing puzzle piece to your overall fitness\u2014and there\u2019s no harm done by giving them a go.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Workouts don&#8217;t have to be push-you-to-the-brink intense in order to be effective. As of late, the idea of a gentler approach to exercise has risen in popularity on social media, on fitness apps, and in boutique fitness classes alike: soft workouts. Soft workouts comprise of low-impact exercises, like walking, Pilates, and pickleball. While the intent &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9760,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9759","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9759","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9759"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9759\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9760"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9759"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9759"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9759"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}