09/15/2026
You donāt have to work out *just* because you want abs, a smaller waist, or a bigger butt. You should probably work out because one day youāre going to be 70 and need to get yourself off the toilet. Seriously though, we talk SO much about exercise for weight loss and looking better, when some of the biggest reasons to work out have nothing to do with how you look.
ā¼ļøPeople who donāt get enough physical activity have about a 20ā30% higher risk of dying early.
ā¼ļøRegular exercise also lowers your risk of things like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression and dementia. & strength training becomes even more important as we get older. šŖš¼
Muscle isnāt just for looking good. Muscle is what helps you get out of a chair, climb stairs, carry groceries, pick up your grandkids, catch yourself when you trip and get your ass off the floor. Being stronger and having better balance can also help prevent falls, which become a MUCH bigger deal as we age.
Thatās why the recommendation isnāt just āgo for a walk.ā Adults should also be doing some kind of strength training at least 2 days a week.
And this one is INSANE:
ā¼ļøā¼ļøThe CDC estimates around 110,000 deaths every year in Americans over 40 could potentially be prevented if people simply got more physical activity.ā¼ļøā¼ļø
š«You donāt need to be a bodybuilder.
š«You donāt need a six-pack.
š«You donāt need to spend two hours in the gym.
ā¼ļøBut you DO need to move your body and challenge your muscles.ā¼ļø
š
Train because you want to travel when youāre 70.
šTrain because you want to play with your grandkids.
š
Train because you want to carry your own groceries.
šTrain because you want to get off the damn floor without needing a search-and-rescue team. š
Looking good is a bonus.
Being strong, healthy, mentally sharp and able to take care of yourself for as long as possible is the actual goal.
āļøSources: World Health Organization (WHO) & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
