Exercise and Fitness Archive

Older adults need a strong core to stay active and healthy. While the core comprises many muscles, the four main ones lie within the abdomen: the rectus abdominis in the front; the external and internal obliques on the sides; and the deep, flat transversus abdominis wrapping your midsection. Several core exercises work many of these muscles, but the dead bug exercise can engage all of them and is safe for older adults, as it can be modified for any age or limitations. The dead bug is done by lying on the back and moving the limbs up and down to imitate a dying insect.

Harvard fitness expert Michele Stanten takes you through a simple exercise to tighten your abs, strengthen your back, and improve your balance.

Staying steady on your feet isn’t just luck—it's a skill you can build. In this 10-question quiz, test your balance know-how and get instant feedback with simple tips to help you prevent falls and stay confident on your feet.

Men may be less flexible than women, but stretching offers important benefits for everyone, especially as they age. Stretching may help keep muscles limber, improve balance and posture, prevent injuries, and even benefit sports performance.

Some aspects of exercise and fitness are ignored. In reality, everyone should do aerobics, stretching, strengthening, and balance exercises.

Muscles naturally weaken over time. But people can preserve strength and retain function with regular physical activity, including exercises to build lower-body strength. Four daily exercises are sit‑to‑stands, glute sets, heel raises, and single‑leg stands.

Regular resistance training, with either home-based or gym exercises, improves strength, muscle size, power, endurance, and daily function. New guidelines recommend resistance training with high effort that works all major muscle groups at least twice a week.

Tai chi is gentle and not strenuous, but it has been shown to have a positive effect on muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, and it can be practiced by people in nearly any state of health or physical condition.

Third spaces are physical locations outside the home and work where people meet and socialize with other individuals. Add in a fitness component—gyms, exercise classes, walking groups—and the mental and physical health benefits multiply.