鈥淔OR the first time in history we can save the human race by lying in front of the TV and doing nothing. Let鈥檚 not screw this up.鈥� 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.
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As we report in our cover story, 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 step behind 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 The idea that pumping iron is solely for bodybuilders is now outdated.
鈥淯nlike exercising outside, strength training poses no threat to you or others from the spread of disease鈥�
Even so, the benefits seem bigger than anyone could have imagined. As we 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 of getting 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 鈥� 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.
