Red flags let your trainer know you may need to be evaluated by your doctor or physical therapist before starting with exercise.

Not all exercise professionals look for these red flags. In more egregious cases, they might ignore them just so they can get started with the client.

That’s why working with someone who has the appropriate training and skills will keep you safe and on track to achieve your health and fitness goals.

Medical clearance from your doctor, physical therapist, or other licensed medical care provider is a critical step in using exercise to manage medical conditions and improve function or athletic performance.

Non-weight-bearing exercises do have their time and place. But whenever possible, choose weight-bearing activities for more effective training. The exercises that are appropriate for you will depend on your unique needs and goals.

Exercise for older adults offsets the wear and tear that comes from constant use (or misuse). If you have a history of injuries or surgeries, that wear and tear may come sooner than you expect.

There are 3 stages of injury and recovery. Knowing the difference between each will help you determine the right time to get back to your exercise program.

Older adults often avoid strength training because of misconceptions they have about the benefits and risks of lifting weights. Here are 6 of those misconceptions and some key points that can finally put those myths to rest.

The stress response is normal and is well-equipped to handle immediate, short-term stressors. In fact, some forms of stress (such as exercise) are actually good for us if applied correctly.
But when stress becomes chronic, giving us little time for recovery, the effects on the body become harmful.

You can expect to lose bone mass as you age. But a lack of physical exercise, smoking, drinking alcohol, and other factors can make things worse. Osteoporosis is the progressive loss of bone density, resulting in weak and porous bones.

The average adult between the ages of 30 and 50 loses about half a pound of muscle each year. This can contribute to many of the diseases we see today. But it also leads to two serious problems that older adults need to consider.

Sleep is essential to achieving your health long-term health goals. Knowing how sleep, circadian rhythms, and hormones are related can help you improve your sleep for better performance in your work, hobbies, and daily living.

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is an issue many people have to deal with after having one or more procedures. The condition shines a light on a crucial fact in medicine: Surgery doesn’t always work.

Many older adults start an exercise program later in life to reduce the risks of potential or existing health problems. Heart attacks and other serious medical events can be a startling wake-up call.

Strength training, along with regular aerobic activity, can be a powerful way to prevent many chronic and degenerative diseases.

If you have hypertension (what most people call "high blood pressure"), it's important to know how to use exercise to manage blood pressure and improve health. But you want to make sure you get the most benefit out of exercise while minimizing the risks that are involved.