Senior citizens have a reputation for being stiff and fragile. If they venture off the porch and out of their rocking chairs, they shouldn’t subject their bodies to sports that would strain their joints or bones. Shuffleboard is good, and maybe a light round of golf . . . always with a cart. Right?

Wrong! Today’s seniors have taken much better care of their bodies, and many are more limber than the television-watching, video-game-playing, and Internet- addicted Generation X-ers.

Whether you’re continuing your fitness regimen or deciding it’s high time to begin, aerobic activities benefit older bodies as much as they do younger bodies: they keep the heart strong and the blood oxygenated. This, in turn, keeps the joints lubricated and the mind sharp, which makes people of all ages feel young.

What are some activities to try?

Bicycling clubs are popping up all over, and they usually are sorted into classes, depending on your fitness level and the types of rides you enjoy.

Speed-walking groups are also popular, and these groups are set up similarly to biking clubs.

Dancing is ever popular with all age groups, and recent TV shows are increased its appeal.  And whether waltz, rhumba, or country dancing, a 25-year-old can have a 65-year-old partner. Style, technique, and social skills—not age—are how dance classes are organized. (Clubs and groups that emphasize a particular type of music or style are a great place to exhibit the showy moves you learned in your youth, as well as to learn new steps.)

Hiking and cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing are also becoming more popular with seniors. But the same precautions apply to an 80-year-old as to an 18-year-old: The “buddy system” is best (so go with a friend), and always let someone at home know your route.