Exercise
Why strength training belongs in a longevity plan
12 May 2026 · 7 min read · Dr. Shaima Alshareef
Muscle is not cosmetic. It is metabolic tissue, structural protection, and a large part of how independence is preserved.
Muscle mass and strength tend to decline with age unless they are deliberately maintained. That decline is not only about appearance — it affects glucose handling, bone loading, balance, and the ability to recover from illness or a fall.
A practical starting structure
- Two to three resistance sessions per week, covering the whole body.
- Compound movements first: pushing, pulling, hinging, squatting, carrying.
- Progression that is gradual and recorded, so it is real rather than remembered.
- Aerobic work alongside it, most days, at a conversational intensity.
If you have a cardiac, joint or metabolic condition, get individual clearance before starting a new programme.