The big question as we age is how often should we workout?  Stats have now shown that if you do 20 minutes a day of something (i.e.- aerobics, swimming, lifting, walking, etc.- even housework at a moderate rate) you are helping your body.  Check with your Doctor first to make sure you can exercise.

As a trainer, I like to design programs for my clients (mostly seniors and disabled people) that helps to make their lives easier and placing a focus on their disability if possible.  In other words, if a client has heart problems, I will design a program to help strengthen their heart: often a combo of light weightresistance training with light aerobics,  If Diabetes is the issue, I make sure the client has eaten and taken their meds before exercising.  I also have them test their blood sugar before beginning.  I try to make sure that the client is registering at least 150 before exercising, and if the sugar level drops to low, I have them eat a bannana or drink some miilk during the exercise program.  Low impact aerobics are good for people with Arthritis- this keeps the muscles working and is easy on the joints.  Swimming and bicycling are two of the best forms of exercise.  They are non-weight bearing in nature.  The water and the bicycle supports the weight of the person's body.

If you want to build muscle (tone up only) - do lighter weights and more reps, more sets.  If you want to build bulky large muscles- do heavy weights, less reps but more sets.  Eating right is also the key for building muscle.  You need to balance carbs and protein.  Carbs give you the energy to workout and the proteins build the muscles.

If you need to lose weight alot of aerobic activity balance with eating less will help.  Gaining weight, do more weight training and eat more.  4 to 5 small meals a day, with more protein (meat, chicken, fish, etc.).  When people want to workout daily, if they want more toning and weight lose, I design a program of 3 days a week (light aerobics- Mon., Wed., Fri) and light weights (Tues, Thurs).  If they want to build muscle, I have them do heavy weights (Mon., Wed., Fri.) and light aerobics or vigorous aerobics (Tues., Thurs.).

The number of sets and reps you do also makes a difference.  For a beginner- One set of 8 - 12 reps is plenty until they build up.  Moderate programs can include 8 - 12 reps, 2 sets and extreme programs can be 12 - 15 reps, 3 or more sets. 

The person who uses his or her disability to stop them from working out, if the Doctor has oked them to workout will never advance.  The object is to work the body to help overcome the disabilty, but not so as to do further injury to one's self.

I workout every other day and I am a disabled Senior, as well as being a Personal Fitness Trainer and Endurance Sports Trainer.  My disabilities are: Herniated Discs (L3-4, L4-5), Pinched nerves across the lower back, Atrial Fibrillation, Bilaterial Hip Replacements due to Ostioarthritis, severe Ostioarthritis, Severe Scoliosis (curved spine), Diabetes- Type II, Spinal Stenosis, Sleep Apnea and torn Meniscus Cartilage in the right knee.

There isn't anything you can not accomplish.  Your only limitation is you!  Good Luck, Good Health.