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How can I convince my dad to exercise more?

Your father has worked hard his whole life and probably wants to spend his downtime with his feet up. Of course, that can lead to trouble. Scare him off the sofa with this:

A recent University of South Carolina study of adults over 60 found that the sedentary participants were four times more likely to die during a 12-year period than their fittest peers. If that doesn’t work, there could be another factor in play. “Your dad may not trust his body like he used to and may be concerned about hurting himself,” says Tom George, a University of Michigan researcher who studies the psychology of physical activity.

In fact, middle-aged men who jump back into exercising without an injury-prevention strategy often suffer from Achilles tendonitis, meniscus tears or rotator-cuff problems.

Make sure your dad stretches and warms up properly before any exercise session.

George recommends introducing him to strength training. “With proper technique, it is another way to fortify his body against injuries,” he says. “His fears should diminish as his fitness levels increase and he starts feeling stronger.”