Create a customized home workout space

A home workout space does not need to be elaborate, but having one makes it far easier to exercise regularly. If you have room for a treadmill or similar cardio machine, it is a convenient way to raise your heart rate - and because it is at home, you can split exercise into ten- or fifteen-minute stints across the day whenever they fit.

Strength work matters just as much as cardio, and it needs no machines at all. Body-weight exercises such as squats, wall push-ups and bridges build and maintain muscle. A few inexpensive extras - resistance bands, a pair of dumbbells, ankle weights - let you make movements easier or harder as you progress.

Set the space up for safety and comfort: a clear, non-slip floor, good lighting, a sturdy chair for balance work, and enough room to extend your arms and legs fully. Keep equipment visible rather than packed away; seeing it is a reminder to use it.

Aim for a weekly mix: at least 150 minutes of moderate cardio, strength training twice a week, and balance exercises, especially after 65. Start gently, increase gradually, and check with your doctor first if you have heart, joint or balance problems.