Ronny Terry is a Swindon-based personal trainer. He has previously worked as Performance Analyst with Swindon Town FC and on obesity initiatives with the NHS. Tweet your questions to @SWITCHFITUK or visit www.switchfituk.co.uk

Age should not be a limiting factor when it comes to exercise.

In fact, physical activity can help people stay healthy and energetic as they get older, but some adults spend up to 10 hours a day sitting or lying down, making them the most inactive age group.

There is evidence to suggest that people who are active have lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and dementia.

Staying active simply means avoiding sitting down for long periods of time. While watching TV and reading can be great for relaxation, too much time on your backside won’t do anything for your physical health. And getting up and about is as simple as walking to the shops, tending the garden or completing household chores.

As well as reducing sedentary time, two and half hours of moderate intensity exercise every week is recommended.

The main aim is to increase your heart rate, and activities such as brisk walking, bike riding, dancing and swimming are all options. For muscles to be strong they need to be regularly worked against a suitable resistance. Carrying shopping, heavy gardening and bodyweight resistance exercises can all be used to increase and maintain strength.

Gyms and leisure centres are great environments for people of all ages and many offer classes aimed at older adults. Walking groups can make exercise more social and there are many travel companies offering holidays with an emphasis firmly placed on physical activity.

It is never too late to start reaping the health benefits of an active lifestyle. Any activity is better than no activity and fitness levels can be gradually increased over weeks, months and years.

For some examples of exercises to complete in the comfort of your own home, visit http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Exercises-for-older-people.aspx