Exercise programs can be broken down into two categories and depending on the results you want you can concentrate on one type or use a combination of both.

The first type is stretch. If you have mobility problems, muscle cramps, or need to get rid of stress dynamic or static stretches can help with even short exercise programs of only 20 or 30 minutes a day. Static involves stretching the muscles while the body is otherwise still and holding a motion for a few dozen seconds. Dynamic stretching means using momentum to push the muscle through a range of motions. Good examples of both kinds of stretching can be seen in Yoga and Tai Chi. If expense is an issue classes in these centuries old exercises are often available through local community associations.

If you need to lose weight and especially if you have some tubbiness around the middle then we need to go there and say what you no doubt wish to avoid. Those dreaded words…strenuous exercise. This means an aerobic type exercise program of at least 30 minutes or longer. Check with a doctor first because ’strenuous’ means different things to different body types and conditions. For you a brisk walk might get the results you want, whereas for someone in better shape this might involve a well paced jog or stepping up to a treadmill.

Most people have an exercise program combining both types of exercise as the stretching warms the muscles up before beginning an aerobic routine. Whichever program you choose the most important part is staying motivated and keeping it up.