A.You benefit from exercise, period.

Whether at the gym, at home or in a class, the benefit from exercise depends upon your intensity, regularity and the type of exercise you are doing.

It is important to vary your approach and make sure you work the heart (cardiovascular), the muscles (with resistance) and the flexibility of the joints (for flexibility).

No matter what you do, I feel that receiving some coaching and/or help from a fitness professional can keep you on track.

Q. Is treadmill walking as good as street walking? I find I can go much longer and faster on the treadmill than on the sidewalk.

A. Any kind of walking is beneficial, but if you can walk for a longer time period and faster (with more intensity) on a treadmill, I say "Go for it!"

Walking outside can be a joy, especially this beautiful time of year, but there is also more chance of tripping and suffering from shin splints.

Q. Now that the weather is getting nice, can you recommend some easy outdoor exercises?

A.Walking, slow jogging, biking, rope jumping and roller skating are all perfect for the good weather.

The idea is to challenge yourself to work a little harder, walk a little farther and add some playfulness to your routine.

The more fun you have, the longer you will stick with it.