Regular weight bearing exercise or strength training is essential to maintaining healthy bones. Resistance training improves muscle mass and strength and can increase spine and hip bone density. Physiotherapists assess posture, understand risk factors and can advise which exercises are best for those with osteoporosis. If you are a woman, you have a 50% lifetime risk of a fracture from osteoporosis. Maintaining adequate bone density lowers the risk of fracture. How does exercise affect bone health? Bone is a living tissue. Bone cells, have the ability to adapt to the amount of stress placed on them thus increasing density.