Harden your core: Try Pilates

Men and women of all ages and fitness levels can benefit from Pilates, a low-impact, complete body workout that combines stretching and strengthening.

The concept: Strengthen your deep abdominal muscles with controlled, precise motions of the arms and legs to help create a powerful "core" that supports the rest of your body.

Strengthening the core muscles is essential to the success of treatment for most orthopedic conditions, including neck and back pain, stress incontinence and postpartum recovery. "Patients suffering from other conditions, such as fibromyalgia and osteoporosis, can benefit greatly from gentle Pilates exercises," says Marie Theodhosi, a certified Pilates instructor and physical therapist with St. Joseph Hospital Physical Therapy Department in Nashua, New Hampshire.

The best part is that you don't have to be an exercise expert to start. "Anyone from beginner to elite athlete can benefit from Pilates core stabilization techniques," says Theodhosi.

And while Pilates is gentle and for all fitness levels, she adds, "it is important to take Pilates from a qualified instructor who can teach you the correct techniques and progress you safely."