How often should I exercise?  The British Heart Foundation recommends being active every day building up to at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week.   

What is the best exercise to lose weight?  The consensus is a combination of aerobic activity and weight training is best for losing weight, along with a healthy diet.  Resistance training using your own body weight is a great way to reduce body mass.

Can exercise help my back, knee and shoulder pain?  Physiotherapists and exercise professionals all agree that the worst thing you can do for lower back pain is to stop exercising.  This is the same for knees and other joints.  Doing nothing for long periods causes muscles to become de-conditioned which is more likely to result in muscle strain and injury.  A sedentary lifestyle is as bad for your joints as hammering them with too much exercise.

What is the best way to protect my bones as I age? Bone constantly remodels throughout life and the body needs bone-friendly nutrients and exercise to keep them healthy. Exercises that use your body weight such as jumping and skipping as well as adding load through weight training are all recommended.

Are balance exercises important?  I regularly get asked this question in class and the answer is YES!  From middle age, our balance, driven by joint proprioception deteriorates, resulting in an increased risk of falls and injury.  

How do I improve my posture?Muscle mass decreases as we age which can contribute to a stooped posture.  A weak core and lack of strength in the buttocks, legs and backs will cause slouching.  All over strength training will help to improve posture, especially with bodyweight resistance training exercises.

How can I get rid of my midlife tummy/paunch?  A combination of a healthy diet and exercise will help.  You need to increase fat-burning with high-intensity interval training such as squats and lunges combined with core exercises such as planks and sit-ups.

Am I too old to take up running (or any other sport)?  You are never too old, just make sure you follow a programme suitable for your level of fitness.  The physical, mental and emotional benefits cannot be underestimated whatever your age.

And finally, in Saturday's FT magazine there was a double-page spread on what jewellery to wear when doing Pilates.  Needless to say, it was a little out of my price range but they are on next year's Christmas list.