You may know regular aerobic activities keep your body in good physical condition, but it can be hard to commit to exercising most days. Finding the easiest aerobic sports for your lifestyle can help you stick to a regular exercise routine and enjoy maintaining your heart health.

Cardiovascular exercise that gets your heart pumping for at least 150 minutes every week has been proven to improve health and longevity. Too much sitting and not enough moving is linked to a higher incidence of heart disease, certain cancers and Type 2 diabetes. Cardio exercises strengthen your heart muscle and increase blood flow, making artery walls more flexible. Over time, that means your heart doesn’t have to work as hard, lowering your risk for heart disease.

Heart-healthy activity doesn’t have to be a high-impact workout – and it can be fun. Looking for a new form of exercise? Here are three of the easiest aerobic sports to try and help your heart pump a little easier.

1. Walking: The Easiest Aerobic Sport to Start

Walking is by far the easiest aerobic sport to get started with. It requires no equipment except good walking shoes and a safe place to walk.

Walking for just 10 minutes a day – whether brisk walking or slow – has been shown to increase heart health and decrease the risk for other diseases. High intensity walking isn’t necessary, and you can even break up your walks throughout the day into smaller increments to achieve 150 minutes total for the week.

2. Swimming: Low-Impact Aerobic Activity

Swimming is a whole-body sport and it’s a low-impact exercise. If you have joint pain, working out in the water is a great way to avoid discomfort and injury. Whether you choose to swim laps, swim leisurely or participate in water aerobics, working out in the water gets your blood flowing and your heart pumping.

Researchers have found that swimming is linked to significant heart health benefits. Since the water makes you buoyant, it’s a sport you can enjoy for a long time.

3. Cycling: Easy Aerobic Sport on Two Wheels

Whether you choose to take a cruise around your neighborhood on a bicycle or use a stationary bike for a high-intensity workout, cycling is an accessible, easy-access aerobic sport. Like swimming and walking, biking offers the benefits of a cardio workout, focused on building up the heart muscle to make it stronger.

More Easy Aerobic Sports

Many other aerobic exercise options can get your heart pumping, include jumping jacks, jumping rope, running, hiking and yard work. Find what feels right to you and what you’ll enjoy the most.

Always speak with your physician about the best options for your health. High-impact cardio isn’t for everyone, and injury or illness can limit the kinds of exercises that are right for you.