This book explains: 1 Why you should bother to exercise and the advantages of walking in reducing heart disease, cancer and death. 2 How to start exercising and choose the correct exercise/sport; the calories used in different exercises/sports are also provided. 3 Whether the gym is for you and outlines alternative types of exercise. 4 Uniquely, the effects of each type of exercise in terms of joint damage and cardiovascular function. 5 Finally, optimal exercises for different ages and exercising for avoiding frailty in old age. Professor Norman Ratcliffe is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and has published over 200 books and research papers on immunology, cancer, influenza, tropical diseases and MRSA. Five years ago Professor Ratcliffe decided to produce a comprehensive but easily accessible book on health and fitness to help people of all different ages lead more healthy and fulfilling lives; the result of this five year project is the 'It's Your Life' series of books. There are six books in the series; five of these offer advice in specific areas, whilst the sixth - It's Your Life: End the confusion from inconsistent health advice - includes all of the advice given in the rest of the series.