Before beginning any new exercise program, consult your doctor. Stop immediately if you experience pain.
If you're looking for a cardiovascular activity that will get your heart pumping and improve daily life, running or interval training may immediately come to mind. To maximize your workout, however, you may want to give Nordic walking a try, new research suggests. This low-impact, whole-body workout that originated in Finland can be performed at different intensity levels. It incorporates the use of specially designed poles that you work in opposition to your legs -- that is, your left arm and right foot work in tandem, and your right arm and left foot. The poles' planting and push-off help boost you along, and the system is especially helpful when walking up or down hills.