• Walking is a good start for elderly people looking for exericseelderly/man and woman leaving hand in hand image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  According to Susan Rostler of Reuter's Health, elderly people who start a regular exercise program experience a wide range of benefits, including improved physical fitness, weight loss and more energy. While getting regular exercise throughout life is recommended, there is no such thing as starting too late. Senior citizens looking to lead a more active lifestyle will reap a number of rewards for their efforts, but should keep in mind a few tips to improve the experience.
  
  

Get a Medical Checkup

• Before beginning any kind of workout regimen, see a doctor for a physical exam. This helps ensure the ensuing exercise does not pose any risks healthwise. When it comes to exercising at an advanced age, particularly when already dealing with a preexisting condition, playing it safe is not optional.
  
  

Focus on Strength and Balance

• Regular strength training and will help a senior citizen retain more strength and maintain balance, allowing for an independent lifestyle. According to the National Institute of Aging, most cases of older people losing ability to do things on their own is a result of not staying active rather than the natural aging process.
  
  

Consider All Types of Exercise

• Not all exercise must be conventional to be effective. A variety of unique forms of exercise for the elderly exist, such as gentle yoga, which goes easier on the joints than standard yoga, low-impact aerobic dance and aquatic fitness. Help Guide recommends beginning with two 10-minute increment sessions spaced out over the course of a day.
  
  

Start Slow

• If exercising is not something you are familiar with, or your last workout took place years ago, start out light and gradually increase the intensity over time. Help Guide recommends beginning with two 10-minute sessions spaced out over the course of a day.
  
  

Find a Safe Workout Environment

• If you choose to work out at a gym, study the facility carefully. Make sure the area is clean and provides easy access to entrances, exits, water fountains and restrooms. Additionally, a brightly lit environment helps to offset any potential vision decline brought on by old age, and well-maintained temperature levels are an added comfort bonus.
  
  

Get Appropriate Rest

• Senior citizens do not recover from injuries or strenuous exercise as well as younger people. Consequently, getting proper rest between exercise sessions is vital. Run every other day instead of daily, or consider taking two days off between workouts instead of just one.