Finding ways to exercise as you get older is a smart and easy way to stay fit and improve your health. Exercise is just as important in your older years as when you were younger. Research shows that an exercise routine offers many health benefits.

It's also well known that regular exercise can help to boost heart health, keep a healthy body weight, keep joints flexible and healthy, and improve balance to reduce falls.

Exercise does not take as much time as you may think. For general health benefits, older adults need about 2½ hours of aerobic (walking, running, and other activities that get the heart pumping faster) activity a week. These activities should be combined with activities that strengthen muscles at least 2 days a week.

Joining a gym and making use of the machines, trainers, and classes is one way to exercise. But you can also have fun there, meet new people, and choose from many different activities that keep you healthy and strong.

Always talk with your doctor before starting any exercise or physical activity program.

Exercise comes in many forms, including activities that feel more like fun than hard work:

• Dance. Sign up for a dance class with your spouse or a friend or carve out some dance time at home.
• Go bowling. Join a bowling league or make a weekly date with some of your friends. If you have grandchildren, bring them along.
• Rediscover a favorite sport. Whether you love the elegance of golf or the challenge of tennis, make time for these leisure activities. If possible, vary your activities over the course of each week to work different muscle groups.
• Enjoy the great outdoors. When the weather cooperates, ride your bike, visit a local park for a hike, or simply go for a walk. These are all great exercises that get you outside and into the fresh air.
• Get in the swim. Swimming is an excellent exercise choice, especially if you have arthritis joint pain. Join a local fitness center that has a pool. Work in regular swims to meet your cardiovascular needs without straining your joints.

To help prevent falls, it's important to practice exercises that improve your balance. Yoga and tai chi fit the bill. They will also help you manage stress, feel more relaxed, and improve muscle tone. Yoga and tai chi classes are widely available in many communities, such as at senior centers and fitness clubs, including the Y.

Taking some time to stretch every day can also help keep your joints flexible and keep you moving well. It's also important to lift some light weights. Canned goods from your cupboard are a fine substitute. You can also use a resistance band to tone your muscles.

Add more energy when doing chores and these regular activities will count as a workout:

• Cleaning the house
• Raking leaves in the yard
• Gardening
• Mowing the lawn
• Sweeping and dusting

Remember that getting older doesn't mean slowing down. You've got to keep moving to stay young at heart as well as in mind, body, and spirit.