If you want to keep fit then sports such as tennis, basketball and soccer are certainly going to help you do this.  Not to mention the fact that they are very cheap to play because you only need basic equipment.  However the downside is that they aren't very good for those who have problems with their joints and need something more low-impact.  This is especially true for older people and those who have just given birth or have had some sort of surgery.

There are many different items of low-impact exercise equipment that can be used to increase your cardiovascular system, muscle strength, balance and such like.  Some items of equipment can be pretty expensive whilst others are much more affordable

The rowing machine is the perfect example of equipment that gives your cardio a boost but puts very little weight only your joints.  It also helps build the muscles and other tissues that will help to support your joints.

Exercise bikes are great for working out your lower body and cardio system.  You are simply moving your legs in a circular motion which means you aren't jolting those joints.

An elliptical trainer has become very popular in recent years yet could never be described as simply a passing fad.  They can really help with your coordination and builds up your legs muscles.  By using the hand bars you'll be able to work out your upper body too.

The Swiss ball is perhaps the cheapest item of low-impact fitness equipment that you can buy but is also one of the best.  A lot of people are now using the Swiss ball to work out in all sorts of different ways.  By sitting on the ball and lifting one of both of your feet off the ground you're really using your core muscle to stabilise yourself.  You can also use it to do press-ups, sit ups in addition to weight lifting with free weights.  Buy some DVDs so that you can follow the different exercises in your own home or you can go to some classes in your local area.

Another low-cost option is the stair stepper.  Basically it's a simple machine that you stand on and move the platforms in a stepping motion.  This is very good for building up the strength of your knees and ankles without doing any damage to them.

Pilates is quite like yoga but with some differences.  These is a machine that can be bought called a Pilates Performer which can help your stretch your muscles whilst making them stronger too.  When your body starts to get used to the machine there are some accessories that you can add to make things more difficult.  There are also DVDs that you can buy so that you can change your routine now and again.

Whatever reason you have for needing low-impact exercise, it's important that you follow the instruction correctly and make sure you don't overdo anything.  Some people get a bit carried away and start to exercise too much.  You need to give your body time to adjust to your new exercising and allow your muscles a day or two to repair themselves.