How Exercise Benefits Your Bones

There is no secret in the fact that exercise is good for strengthening your muscles and for weight loss, but it is also essential for bone health, as well. Weight-bearing and strength training exercises are imperative for strong healthy bones. While bone strengthening exercise is a necessity, it is also an exact exercise, in that only the bones involved in the exercise are benefiting from the workout.

Weight-bearing exercises include, but are not limited to, walking/running, aerobics, dance, and weightlifting. Due to the precision of the benefits, it is a good idea to use a variety of exercises in your bone-building routine. Bones are made up of living cells just as muscles are, and just as your muscles get stronger when you exercise them, so do your bones. Exercise also increases the density of your bones, which reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

As with all exercise routines, before you begin it is wise to visit your doctor for a check-up, as well as assistance in deciding the best routine for you. Even if you already suffer from osteoporosis, it is wise to exercise and strengthen your bones. Talk to your doctor about the amount of exercise you will be able to do, and what needs to go along with your routine, such as nutrition, to increase you mobility level.


The best exercise program is always the one you will stick with. Stair-climbing and step aerobics are two beneficial, bone-building exercises, but if an exercise hurts your knees or hips, you will not continue it. There are many different weight-bearing and weightlifting exercises, so you can find a routine that is fun and pain-free.

People are often turned off by the thought of lifting weights. However, using weights can help you tone and build strength - it doesn't necessarily mean you're going to transform into a bodybuilder. With weightlifting, form is essential in avoiding injury. If you can, it is best to get at least a couple of lessons from a trainer, either at a gym or in your home. You can also find numerous videos which show the proper way to lift weights. A set of dumbbells is suggested, but again it is just as effective to use common househo