The Boneyard

This is not my typical blog post, but it may be my most important.   In this post, I explore why motivation for exercise often fades, the common reasons people struggle to stay consistent with fitness, and what actually supports long-term success. This is not about quick fixes or New Year’s resolutions. It is about building strength, mobility, and health in a way that lasts. Please share with anyone in your life thinking about improving fitness. The gym was noticeably quiet y

For years, cardiorespiratory fitness has been recognized as one of the strongest predictors of longevity. Measures such as peak oxygen consumption are closely tied to cardiovascular disease risk and all-cause mortality. At the same time, non-aerobic components of fitness, including muscle strength, balance, and mobility, also play an important role in long term health and survival. You have seen all this before in my prior blog posts. In a recent paper published in Mayo Clin

Longevity fitness is a simple idea with a powerful impact. It is the practice of training your body in a way that supports health, strength, and independence for as long as possible. Instead of chasing quick fixes or short term aesthetic goals, longevity fitness focuses on what will help you stay strong, capable, and confident throughout midlife and well into older age. It is built on the understanding that the choices we make in our forties, fifties, and sixties shape the qu

The 2025 review “Research progress on resistance exercise therapy for improving cognitive function in patients with AD and muscle atrophy” highlights an important idea for anyone interested in longevity. Resistance training may not only support muscle strength, bone health, and metabolic resilience. It may also play a role in supporting brain function as we age. The authors summarize research showing that resistance exercise can improve memory, executive function, and overall

A recent study published in Scientific Reports examined nearly 10,000 adults to identify which measurement of grip strength best predicts long term survival. Chai et al. (2024) compared five different grip strength metrics and found that the simplest ones, the maximum grip strength of either hand and the average grip strength of both hands, were the strongest predictors of all cause mortality. The main finding is clear. Individuals with lower grip strength had significantly

As people pass their forties strength tends to decline, risk of chronic disease increases, bones weaken, and mobility often suffers. The...

In Exercise Is Medicine , Thompson, Sallis, and colleagues make a strong case that physical inactivity is one of the major public health...

As we move past our forties, ideas about aging shift from what we lose to what we can protect, nurture, and build. In Super Agers: An...

For women approaching midlife and beyond, the term “aging” often triggers concerns about strength, mobility, and vitality. In...

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon’s Forever Strong: A New Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well  presents a compelling case for prioritizing muscle...

Hey, I’m Dean, founder of Longevity Fitness Coaching , and if there’s one thing I’ve learned working with clients over 40, it’s this:...

Daniel Flahie's article, "Resistance Training for the Older Client – Should They Press, Squat, and Deadlift?", offers a thoughtful...

Dr. Stacy Sims’ book Roar  is a revolutionary guide for women who want to take control of their fitness and health. The core message?...

If you’ve ever wondered how to not just live longer but live better, Dr. Peter Attia’s book Outlive  is a must-read. In this book, Attia,...

As women age, maintaining physical health becomes increasingly important. One of the most effective ways to ensure a strong, healthy body...

Throughout my life, I’ve always been active. Whether it was playing hockey, running, backpacking, or raising my kids, staying physically...