Exercise is a great way for youngsters to get into shape. Not only will teens who start exercising at a young age benefit later in life, they are also more likely to stay fit as adults. The basic benefits of exercise are increased weight control, lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system (to fight off illnesses), more flexibility for your body, and stronger and more toned muscles and bones.

Starting a exercise program can be hard. Playing any sport is great exercise for your body. It's important to find an exercise program that is fun and one that fits your personality.

You should take part in cardiovascular activities that put little strain on joints and use the large muscle groups. Some good activities for endurance building are walking,

  jogging, cycling, skating and swimming. You should exercise three to five times a week for 20-30 minutes each, but consider that everybody has different physical levels of exercise abilities. It's important to start slowly, then gradually working into a more rigorous program. Always warm up before exercising. Always rest and stretch after you exercise for a couple minutes.