There are absolutely no side effects from careful, well targeted exercise when it is done correctly. Some people need to be careful about what exercise they do and how they do it, including those with heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis and asthma. Even so, everyone can do some form of exercise and it will help improve each of these conditions if carefully managed.

If you're concerned, it's best to exercise in a group with an instructor who is qualified to adapt exercise to suit any medical condition so as to ensure safety and effectiveness. Talk to your doctor before you start any unaccustomed exercise to check that it is safe for you.

Buy a book to help get you started

Help the Aged has produced a book called Strength and Balance Exercises for Healthy Ageing, which you may find helpful.

Presented in a convenient, wire bound flip over format, this collection of strength and balance exercises can safely be undertaken by older people at home. It was produced by Help the Aged in collaboration with Wandsworth Primary Care Trust and Camden Active Health Team (London Borough of Camden).

ISBN: 1-845980-008-5
Date of publication: 2006
Pages: 24
Price: £6
Download Strength and balance exercises for healthy ageing (PDF, 700 k)

For exercise DVDs and videos, please see our publications list here.