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Want to Age Well? A Longevity Expert Says This One Habit Matters Most
Real Simple • • health
Key Points:
- Longevity physician Dr. Jennifer Timmons emphasizes strength training as the most important habit for healthy aging, highlighting its role in preserving muscle mass, which supports metabolic, bone, and joint health.
- Muscle mass declines by 3 to 5 percent annually after age 35, and maintaining it is crucial for independence in daily activities like getting up, moving, and carrying groceries.
- Dr. Timmons recommends whole-body strength training two to three times a week, using progressive overload techniques, and suggests bodyweight exercises like squats and modified push-ups for those without gym access.
- While other factors like diet, sleep, stress management, and social connections also contribute to healthy aging, strength training uniquely supports functional capacity and independence in older adults.
- For beginners, Dr. Timmons advises starting with 10 minutes of strength training twice a week, gradually increasing duration and resistance to build strength sustainably over time.
