Why exercise is so important for over-60s, according to new research

When you're young, you should be active, and when you're older, you should take it easy. Right? Wrong. It turns out when you're older, exercise is even more important than it is when you're young. 

Whether you're over 60 and using the best resistance bands to build muscle and stay limber, or you're still out running or walking to keep your heart healthy, science has found our body is actually built to exercise well into its twilight years. 

The research, published by Harvard University's evolutionary biologists and biomedical researchers, has found humans originally evolved to be physically active all their lives.  Doing physical activity later in life shifts energy away from processes that can compromise health, such as degenerative diseases, heart disease and even some cancers, and towards processes that extend our lives. 

Daniel E. Lieberman, the paper's lead author, said: "It's a widespread idea in Western societies that as we get older, it's normal to slow down, do less, and retire... Our message is the reverse: As we get older, it becomes even more important to stay physically active."

We've often highlighted the importance of staying active in later years. For starters, it prevents your muscles and bones weakening and degenerating as a result of muscular atrophy. Building muscle is vitally important: grip strength has long been held as a marker of good health in order adults, and core strength helps with day-to-day mobility.

We recommend workouts with resistance bands as a way to build muscle for older adults, as they're safer (and usually cheaper) than wielding heavy weights, and even more versatile. Regular, low-impact cardiovascular exercise, such as brisk walking or using an elliptical machine, can also ensure you stay active well into your twilight years.

Elliptical machines or cross trainers are excellent home fitness solutions for older adults. There's none of that bending over the bars of an exercise bike, and no high-impact running like you may expect from a treadmill or a run outdoors. The resistance can be adjusted, making it great for building muscle, and it's decidedly low-impact and thus great for weaker joints. Our best ellipticals guide can help you find out more.