Tips For Getting Active at Any Age

What are the health benefits of physical activity?

Physical activity has many health benefits! Physical activity helps to:

• Maintain your weight
• Lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer
• Lower high blood pressure and cholesterol
• Improve your health, fitness, strength and well-being
• Decreases stress and depression
• Support growth and development in children

What types of physical activity should I do?

It is important to do moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity. Both increase your heart rate, make you sweat and require you to breathe faster and harder.

Here are examples of moderate physical activity:

• Walking quickly
• Bike riding
• Skating or skateboarding

Here are some examples of vigorous physical activity:

• Running
• Basketball
• Soccer
• Fast dancing
• Cross-country skiing

Tips on getting active

Adults

• Adults can take the stairs instead of the escalator, run or walk with a friend or join a class.
• The local library may have yoga, Pilates and aerobic videos you can view and exercise to.

Older Adults

• Older adults can join a group or take a class in the community.
• Try walking or taking the stairs as much as possible.
• Slowly increase your activity level by 10 minutes at a time.

Before you start being physically active

If you have a medical condition, speak to your health professional before starting a physical activity routine.

Bottom line

You can enjoy physical activity no matter what your age and stage of life. Physical activity can help people live a healthier life. Physical activity is something you can do just about anywhere or anytime. Every bit counts! Even 10 minutes of physical activity at a time has health benefits. Build up the amount of time you are physically active just 10 minutes at a time.