If you want to age well, you probably already know the basics: eat a balanced diet, go for walks, stay socially engaged. But there’s one habit that experts say matters just as much—and in some cases, more—for long-term health: strength training.

For decades, weightlifting was viewed as the domain of bodybuilders, powerlifters, or young athletes. But research over the past 20 years has flipped that assumption. Lifting weights—or using your own bodyweight against resistance—turns out to be one of the most powerful tools we have for protecting health as the decades pass. It’s not about chasing bigger biceps or a six-pack. It’s about reinforcing bones, keeping metabolism humming, preventing falls, and even lowering the risk of chronic disease.

Stronger bones mean fewer breaks

Bones may feel

See Full Page