The quote above from Robert Louis Stevenson, might seem a bit dramatic, but there’s an innate truth within it that’s hard to ignore. We’re designed for movement. Skip the squats and other heavy functional resistance exercises, and your body and mind won’t thank you.

Here’s the thing: every day, through the choices we make (or avoid), we’re effectively setting the table for our future selves. A few too many nights glued to the sofa, one too many takeaways, and suddenly the knees start creaking, the energy dips, and you start misplacing your car keys more than you’d care to admit.

Our bodies are designed to move: proper, functional, purposeful movement. We’re built for walking, lifting, twisting, squatting, jumping (yes, even if it’s just a hop to get away from the piece of LEGO you’ve just trodden on!). In fact, when we deny ourselves this kind of physical work, we don’t just weaken our bodies, our minds don’t perform as well as they could either.

See, when life gets too easy, our brains panic. Strange, isn’t it? But it makes sense: without a challenge, the mind doesn’t know what to do with itself. Enter the miracle of strength training.

We know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t lifting weights just for the young ones in muscle vests?” Not at all. Hard, scientific evidence shows resistance training isn’t just for beefy gym-goers. In fact, the older we get, the more we need it. As we age, we naturally start to lose muscle mass, bone density, and balance. But that’s not a life sentence – it’s an invitation to do something about it. 

Regular resistance training helps us hang onto (and even build) strength, boost our metabolism, protect joints, and reduce the risk of things like osteoporosis and falls. Not to mention, it makes carrying the shopping or carrying the grandchildren around feel a whole lot easier.

And yes, there’s an added bonus: you may well look better naked. But honestly, the real win is how it makes you feel: more confident, sharper, less bothered by life’s usual niggles. The discipline of turning up, pushing through, improving week by week – it spills over into every part of your life.

In short: a bit of heavy lifting is good for your body, and brilliant for your mind. It lowers anxiety and depression, preserves your strength, and sharpens your focus. So why not set a table full of positive consequences? Strength, clarity, vitality. Oh, and maybe some lean muscles to show off in summer clothing. 😉💪

So where to begin?
Start small. Bodyweight squats while the kettle boils. Push-ups against the kitchen counter. A few resistance bands tucked behind the sofa. And if you’d like help starting with, or a more structured approach to, your strength training, I’d love to hear from you. So please do get in touch, and get a date and time in the diary for a chat about how you can improve your body and brain. The key message here is to, whatever you do, just start. Your future self will thank you.