Source credit: ScienceDaily / BMJ Group – Scientists found the strength training sweet spot for a longer life. Journal reference: British Journal of Sports Medicine, DOI 10.1136/bjsports-2025-110503.
Summary: A long-running observational analysis reported that roughly 90 to 120 minutes of weekly resistance training was associated with lower all-cause mortality, with benefits appearing strongest when paired with aerobic activity. The research analyzed more than 147,000 participants across three major cohorts followed for up to 30 years. The source also emphasized an important limitation: observational data can show associations, not prove that lifting itself caused the risk reduction.
Why it matters for lifters
- Consistency beats novelty: The weekly range is realistic for many lifters, especially when split across two or three sessions.
- Cardio still belongs in the picture: The lowest-risk patterns in the report involved combining strength training with aerobic activity, not treating lifting and conditioning as enemies.
- More is not automatically healthier: The study did not find extra mortality reduction above the reported resistance-training range, which is useful context for high-volume lifters chasing health outcomes.
What to watch next
- Watch for research that measures lifting intensity, set volume, proximity to failure, and exercise selection instead of only weekly minutes.
- Watch whether findings look different in competitive bodybuilders, powerlifters, older beginners, and people with existing disease risk.
- If a headline turns this into a universal prescription, remember that the source study was observational and self-reported exercise has limits.
Health disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Exercise volume and intensity should be matched to health status, training history, recovery capacity, and professional guidance when needed.