There are all kinds of myths. Who hasn’t heard of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster? Then there’s Big Foot. When it comes to health, you’ll find plenty of exercise myths. For seniors, it’s important that they are made aware of exercise myths. The exercise myths circulating today are most negative stories regarding getting started on an exercise program.

If you’re getting older in years, all the more you need to exercise. Just because you’ve become a senior citizen doesn’t mean you have to spend most of your days sitting on a chair and relying on others to do most of the work for you. Getting old doesn’t mean getting feeble!

Becoming a senior doesn’t mean you have to give up your independence. In fact, seniors can greatly benefit from physical activity. Fitness is something we all should strive for regardless of age. You can’t stop yourself from growing old, but you can keep your body in tip-top shape even if you are old!

Here are five of the most common myths about exercising and old age:

Myth #1: I’m too old to work out.

Not true! If your goal is to improve your health and to be fit, you need to start exercising regularly no matter how old you are. Working out is not exclusive to young people. If you have never really been on a regular exercise program before, you’ll need to start slow and easy. It’s a good idea to see your doctor and ask what types of exercises you should do based on your age and present condition.

Myth #2: My hip could break if I do aerobics.

Here’s a news flash for you: most hip fractures among the elderly are caused by falls, not exercise. And if you’ve deliberately stayed away from aerobics exercises because it’s too rigorous, you should know that aerobics isn’t all about jumping and quick movements. You can do light to moderate aerobics — just enough to keep your body moving.

Myth #3: Exercising may cause me to have a heart attack.

In reality, exercising can lower your risk of heart disease so you are less likely to have a heart attack. However, before you start on any exercise program, see your doctor and get a physical checkup. Talk to your doctor about a good exercise program you can do and follow his recommendations.

Myth #4: I’m too heavy to exercise.

If you’ve got a lot of excess weight, all the more that you should be on a regular exercise program! As we age, our metabolism slows down. This means our body tends to store more fat and it becomes harder to lose weight. This is why it’s important for seniors to follow a good diet and exercise program.

Myth #5: I’ll only injure myself if I do weights.

If you want to give your metabolism a boost, build muscle, and make your bones stronger, strength training is the way to go. Try exercising using two-pound dumbbells. You’ll develop toned muscles and stronger bones.