Only around one in ten Australians over the age of 50 years exercises enough to gain any cardio-vascular benefit. It is suggested that about half of the physical decline associated with aging may be due to a lack of physical activity. Arguably, people over the age of 65, more than any other group, require adequate fitness levels to help them recover from illness and reduce their risk of disease. Without regular exercise, people over the age of 50 can experience a range of health problems including reduced muscle strength and physical endurance, reduced co-ordination and flexibility, reduction in bone strength, increased body fat levels, increased blood pressure and cholesterol, susceptability to mood disorders and various diseases. So the importance of regular, controlled activity cannot be understated.

So what can regular activity do for you? Here are some of the many benefits.

Muscle tissue. After the age of 25, we lose about 1% of our muscle each year that we don't do regular exercise. Muscle tissue is metabolically active, which means it helps us keep our body fat levels in check. As we lose muscle, our metabolism drops and on goes the fat. Also, functional strength is important to enable us to do everyday tasks without a high risk of injury.

Bone density.  Our bone strength reaches it's peak at 25, then it's all about preservation. Controlled resistance training places sufficient stress on our bones to stimulate the process of fortifying bone density.

Stability.  Regular exercise gives us the opportunity to increase the stability and integrity of our joints and 'program' our nervous system to give us better stability and co-ordination.

Heart and Lungs. Cardio-vascular fitness has a myriad of beneficial effects on your health. Naturally, issues associated with the heart, circulatory system and lungs such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and stroke can be reduced or controlled by regular exercise.

Energy levels.  Regular activity causes the body to adapt and improve energy levels. Our sleeping patterns can be improved as well.

Confidence, Self-esteem & Mood.  Making exercise habit creates a great sense of accomplishment; building our self-esteem. Exercise releases endorphins, our bodys natural 'feel-good' hormone, giving us a mood lift. And most importantly, exercising gives you an opportunity to interact socially.

As they say, it's never too late to start. It's time you began achieving FITNESS FOR LIFE!