Folks of all ages are getting out more as the weather gets warmer and days get longer, but seniors should take care not to overdo it when they exercise.

Bobby Norris, coordinator of cardiac rehabilitation at the Ronnie Green Heart Center, said it’s never too late to become more physically active.

“First off, if you’re just talking about (seniors) getting active in general, no matter what age they start, they can improve,” he said. “Studies show that no matter what age when you start, you can get improvements.”

Seniors can improve muscle tone and strength by becoming more active, but Norris, an exercise physiologist, urges the over-55 set to start slowly when adding exercise to their daily routines.

“Start slowly and be conservative,” Norris said, adding that seniors should ask their doctor before starting any type of exercise regimen.

Norris suggested seniors who have never exercised shouldn’t try to start out with daily exercise; they should start with just two days a week and gradually build from there.

He also said that walking is the best way to start.

“It’s safe for most of the population to do some type of walking and it’s easy because it doesn’t require equipment,” he said. “But don’t try to walk every day the first week; ease into it. That’s a big key, especially with senior citizens.”

Betty DeBar, 72, of Oakwood, agrees that walking is a good way to start. In fact, it’s her advice to fellow seniors who want to get fit.

“The first thing they should do is get out and start walking,” said DeBar, who decided to get more active after quitting part-time work about three years ago.

Her goal in remaining what she calls “semi-active” for the past three years?

“To make my heart healthier and stay more flexible,” she said. “I think it’s important to stay flexible to try and keep off arthritis medication.”

DeBar and friend Janet Wiles, 70, also of Oakwood, both take fitness classes at the Frances Meadows Aquatic and Community Center, located at 1545 Community Way, off Jesse Jewell Parkway. Some classes, especially a water aerobics class called senior aquacize, are geared specifically to seniors.

Julie Butler, marketing and communications coordinator for Gainesville’s recreation department, said the center’s senior aquacize class has been very popular, with some 200 people a month taking it.

She said seniors also enjoy the socialization aspect of taking fitness classes. In addition to the water aerobics classes, many seniors also enjoy swimming.

“There’s something about getting in the water and that impact on the body that’s getting a lot of people out to our pools,” Butler said.

DeBar agreed that the water aerobics classes helps to relieve her arthritis.

While the Frances Meadows Center’s classes are growing in popularity each month, according to Butler, many seniors also are taking classes at the Gainesville-Hall County Senior Life Center at 434 Prior St.

Merry Howard, the center’s manager, said fitness classes ranging from Tai Chi to Sittercize are offered on a regular basis. The center also has gym-quality fitness equipment seniors can use.

Howard also is working with one of the certified instructors to add more fee-based exercise classes in the afternoon, including six-week long programs, and personal trainers. Money from a fundraiser held this past weekend also will help seniors who can’t afford the full cost of a fitness class at the center.

Howard said the Senior Life Center also is open every afternoon for people uncomfortable with taking organized classes.

“I’m trying to get more afternoon programs when our building is empty,” Howard said. “A lot of people don’t want to go to a fitness center because they feel intimidated.”

DeBar said many seniors may feel uncomfortable being in a fitness class with younger people, but she urges seniors to “try to get into a program that makes you feel comfortable.”

Taking group fitness classes is a good idea for seniors, Norris said.

“A good thing for this age group is to do group fitness because an instructor helps with making sure they do warm up and cool down and doing exercise properly,” Norris said.

Having that instructor on hand can keep seniors from doing too much and injuring themselves, he said.

Wiles said she always led an active life, but noticed her weight creeping up when she stopped being active for a little while. She eased back into her active lifestyle by taking up walking and now does water aerobics at the Frances Meadows center and works out to fitness videos on DVD.

She said she remains active now “for weight control and to stay healthy.”

Wiles, who agrees that walking is a great way to get started, urges seniors to get active.

“The main thing is just do something,” she said.