Lifting weights can help improve life expectancy

According to the BBC’s article here, people who lift heavy objects live longer than those that don’t.

Whilst there is a lot of narrative around cardiovascular fitness, and getting the heart-rate up, to improve health and wellbeing, more evidence is suggesting that other forms of exercise for strength and flexibility can be equally as beneficial.

This is not necessarily limited to powerlifting weights at the gym - but can include all sorts of practical, everyday lifting, including “carrying heavy shopping bags, digging in the garden and doing Pilates”.

The NHS advises adults over 65 to be physically active every day and do activities to improve strength, balance and flexibility at least twice a week.

It also recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity if you are already active.

According to the NHS, muscle-strengthening activities can include:

• carrying heavy shopping bags
• yoga
• pilates
• tai chi
• lifting weights
• working with resistance bands
• doing exercises that use your own body weight, such as push-ups and sit-ups
• heavy gardening, such as digging and shovelling

The report also found that women are likely to benefit more than men from lifting weights in older age.