My doctor says I'm at risk for osteoporosis — here are the 5 exercises I do to build stronger bones

A photo of a woman performing a squat .

I’m a fitness editor and marathon runner, but I have a higher risk of osteoporosis than most people my age, as I also have coeliac disease. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the tissue in the small intestine when gluten is ingested. 75% of people with coeliac disease will have a low bone mineral density (BMD), which is what is used to diagnose osteoporosis — a condition where your bones become thin and more likely to break.

I was diagnosed as a child, and have been following a gluten-free diet for years, but as women are at higher risk of osteoporosis than men, I also make sure I’m doing the right exercises to ensure my bones are as strong as possible, for as long as possible.