6. Taichi

No pain, big gains Although tai chi is slow and gentle and doesn’t leave you breathless, it addresses the key components of fitness — muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and, to a lesser degree, aerobic conditioning. Here’s some of the evidence: Muscle strength. In a 2006 study published in Alternative Therapies in Health …

 When combined with standard treatment, tai chi appears to be helpful for several medical conditions. For example: Arthritis. In a 40-person study at Tufts University, presented in October 2008 at a meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, an hour of tai chi twice a week for 12 weeks reduced pain …