18 April 2020 | New Scientist | 5“FOR the first time in history we can save
the human race by lying in front of the
TV and doing nothing. Let’s not screw this
up.” The gag is just one of many similar
memes doing the rounds on social
media. If only things were so simple.
For many, the idea of being cooped
up at home for weeks or months on end
without our usual means of exercise is
daunting. Regular exercise brings many
benefits, extending to both physical and
mental well-being. But pounding the
pavements could put us and others at
risk. In many countries under lockdown,
it is limited or even forbidden. There
is a neat solution: strength training.
As we report in our cover story (see
page 34), we are only now discovering
just how beneficial this kind of exercise
can be to our health. The science and
government advice tends to be a stepbehind the fitness industry, which,
over the past decade, has seen strength
training burst out of the weights area
of the gym into mainstream classes.
The idea that pumping iron is solely
for bodybuilders is now outdated.
Even so, the benefits seem bigger
than anyone could have imagined. Aswe reveal, building up your muscles can
significantly reduce your risk of type 2
diabetes and cardiovascular disease,
including stroke and heart attack. All
told, a small amount of regular strength
training can add years to your life.
Everyone knows the benefits ofgetting your steps and getting out into
nature. But do we all also realise how
crucial strength is? The new findings
should be a wake-up call.
Only a quarter of us get enough
strength exercise and yet it can be done
in the comfort of your own home with
very little space or equipment – all you
need is something for your muscles to
resist against, which could be a heavy
book, or just your own body weight. In
response to the pandemic, a vast menu
of strength-training classes has been
made available online, often for free.
Unlike exercising outside, these
classes pose no threat to yourself
or others from the spread of disease.
A mixture of strength and aerobic
exercise is optimal, but right now,
lifting weights could be the best way
to improve your own health. ❚Stronger for a longer life
There has never been a better time to start strength training
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“ Unlike exercising outside,
strength training poses no
threat to you or others from
the spread of disease”EDITORIAL
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