Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your health as you get older. Regular exercise helps maintain muscle strength, improves balance, supports heart health, and boosts overall well-being. But once you reach your 60s and beyond, not every workout is equally suitable for every person. Age alone doesn’t determine what you can safely do, but your fitness level, medical history, and experience with exercise matter.

Certain demanding activities may deserve a second look, particularly for people with cardiovascular conditions, joint problems, or those returning to exercise after a long break. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can cause rapid increases in heart rate and blood pressure, while sprinting places sudden demands on the cardiovascular system. High-impact jumping exercises, including jump squats and box jumps, can also place additional stress on the knees, hips, ankles, and lower back. But these aren’t the only workouts that may deserve extra caution. Two other common types of exercise can place additional strain on the body—and there are safer alternatives that can still help you stay strong and active. Continue below to discover the final two and what you can do instead.