1. Walking

Walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise out there. You can do it anywhere, at any time, and you can adjust the intensity to suit how you're feeling on the day.

The key is to pick up the pace enough to raise your heart rate and breathing rate. Even 10-minute bursts of brisk walking count. Once you're comfortable, you can increase the duration, add hills, or throw in some stairs to make it more challenging.

It's a simple way to build fitness and manage your blood glucose levels at the same time.

(Fun fact: 10,000 steps a day was never a health recommendation! It was a slogan for a Japanese pedometer launched before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Move because it helps you, not because a number on your wrist says so.)

2. Swimming

Swimming lets you control both the pace and the duration of your session, which makes it a great fit for people who like to exercise at their own rhythm. The water supports your body, so it's gentle on your joints while still giving your cardiovascular system a solid workout.

If you prefer to exercise independently, this one ticks a lot of boxes.

3. Water Aerobics

Water aerobics has a lot going for it. The water acts as resistance, so you can work your heart and lungs without placing impact through your joints. It's a brilliant option if you have painful joints or other injuries that make land-based exercise uncomfortable.

It's also social. Classes use equipment like dumbbells, kickboards, and noodles to vary the workout, and many people find the group setting keeps them coming back.

4. Yoga

Yoga is worth considering if you want to improve your flexibility, balance, and stress levels alongside your physical health. For people with mobility issues, using a chair for support and modifying movements can help you participate fully without discomfort.

It's a gentle complement to more cardiovascular forms of exercise.

5. Dancing

Dancing works both your upper and lower body, which means more energy expenditure and a better cardiovascular workout than you might expect. Whether you're in a group class or just moving around your lounge room to music you love, it's one of the more enjoyable ways to get your heart rate up.

Choose music with bursts of faster tempo and you'll naturally include some higher-intensity moments in your session without it feeling like hard work.

6. Gardening

Gardening might not look like exercise, but it earns its place on this list. Activities that involve carrying, lifting, pulling, and pushing all increase the intensity of what you're doing. A solid session in the garden can be more of a workout than people realise!