Exercising is essential to keeping good physical and mental health, and it is especially important for the elderly.  Exercise is known to actually improve health for those over sixty-five.  Being active can delay or even prevent many diseases, an obvious beneficial effect.  The ability to push forward and keep active as you age can help you keep doing the things that you have enjoyed your whole life. Decreasing your stress level and improving your mood is also a positive effect exercising can give you, no matter where you do it. Clearly exercising is something everyone should try and participate in, no matter your age or athletic ability.  Many elderly prefer to stay inside the comforts of their homes, but this does not mean that exercise is not possible.  Ever wanted to get in shape without leaving your house?  There are thousands of exercises the human body can perform.  What many people don’t realize is that many of these exercises are rather simple and can be done at home.  This guide will portray several exercises to do at home to increase your health and physical shape.

Exercise #1:  Front Plank

• Lay on the ground face down with your elbows at your side. Lift your body weight (thighs and torso) up with your hands and then shift all of your weight on your elbows. Your shoulders should be directly above your elbows.
• Beware! This looks easy, but don’t be fooled.  The point of this exercise is to strengthen your abs while engaging many of your body’s muscles.

Exercise #2:  Push Up

• This very traditional exercise is also easy to maneuver. Similar to a plank, to begin lie face down with your arms at your side.
• Lift weight up with hands until your arms are locked and your body is in the air. Lower yourself to the ground with your head and spine aligned. Don’t let your back curve. Repeat in sets of 10.
• This exercise helps strengthen your back and chest.

Exercise #3:  Superman

• Perhaps the easiest exercise on the list, the superman is easy to perform.
• To begin, lie face down on ground with hands stretched out in front of your body.
• Next, tighten abs and lift your arms and legs up at an equal rate. Keep arms and legs straight as both reach towards the sky.  Slowly lower legs and arms, but don’t let them touch the ground until you are done with your set. Repeat process.
• This exercise strengthens your back and shoulders.

Exercise #4: Sit Up

• To begin, lay on your back with your legs bent. Apply weight or use somebody else to put weight on your feet. 
• Cross your arms on your chest and tighten your abs as you literally sit up until your arms touch your knees. Slowly lay back down after each sit up and rise up until the set is completed.
• This exercise targets your abs.

Exercise #5: Squat Jump

• To begin, stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Tighten your abs and pull your shoulders down while keeping your back in a tight athletic position.
• Shift your back and hips towards the ground until your heels are about to lift and when this happens explode upwards and throw your hands upwards in one fluid motion.
• To land, push your hips back and absorb the impact of landing. Do not lock your knees.
• This exercise targets your legs and thighs.

Exercise #6: Calf Raises

• Stand about a foot away from a wall and place hands on wall at chest height. Stand with feet shoulder width apart.
• Exhale as you lift your body up using only your toes. Your heels should not be touching the ground at all when you’re lifting your body up.
• Keep your knees locked and use your hands to hold yourself up and for balance. Slowly push heels towards the ground and repeat as many times as you like.
• This exercise strengthens your claves and shins.

Exercise #7: Bent Knee Push Up

• This exercise is for people who may not have the strength or capability of executing a full pushup.
• To begin, get on hands and knees and bend upper half of body to ground. Your hands should be under your shoulders.  Lower yourself towards ground while tightening your abs and keeping your head and spine align.
• Repeat process in sets of 10 or more. This exercise strengthens your back, abs, shoulders, and arms.