The best way to strengthen the hip bones is through a combination of higher-impact weight-bearing activities, such as jogging, running or stair climbing, plus strengthening exercises that involve the hip joint, such as chair stands or side hip raises. Stronger muscles stimulate bone growth. Walking is great for cardiovascular fitness, but it has only a mild effect on bone. This can be important over time - people with a lifelong walking habit have stronger bones as a result. But walking doesn't produce the relatively rapid improvements in bone density that is seen with strength training and higher-impact activities. Strengthening exercise has another benefit of significance for people concerned about fractures: it helps improve balance, which means fewer falls. That's why it's so important to include strength training in any exercise program designed to counter osteoporosis.