If you want to improve your fitness, and there are any doubts about your health, you will need proper medical supervision before embarking on it. Hopefully, if you are under the care of your doctor, he or she will have already given you a sensible exercise program to make the most of your condition, but if not go and ask for one.

If you haven’t been particularly unwell but are very unfit, possibly overweight and have smoked or still smoking, it is worthwhile seeking medical advice and a quick check-up before embarking on a regular exercise program as if you are in your late thirties or over heart attack become increasingly common at this stage.