Weight-bearing exercises are done standing up and make the bones and muscles work against gravity.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these examples of good weight-bearing exercises:

• Fast-paced walking, running or jogging, or going for a hike.
• Gardening or cutting the grass with a push mower.
• Team sports, such as basketball, soccer and baseball.
• Racquet sports, such as tennis.
• Aerobics or dance classes.
• Bowling, karate or judo, skating or skiing.
• Lifting weights or climbing stairs.

-- Diana Kohnle