Two Hours of Weekly Strength Training Hits the Sweet Spot for Longevity

Based on: Long-term resistance training with all-cause and cause-specific mortality: assessing dose-response and joint associations with aerobic physical activity.

Strong Evidence·Journal Article·British journal of sports medicine·Jun 2026

In nearly 150,000 adults tracked for up to 30 years, doing 90 to 119 minutes of strength training per week was linked to a 13% lower risk of dying from any cause. More than two hours weekly added no extra benefit. Combining strength work with aerobic exercise gave the biggest mortality drop.

Key Insight

This study suggests around two hours of weekly strength training, paired with cardio, may offer the best longevity payoff.

Original Paper

Zhang Y, Lee DH, Rezende LFM, Ma Y, Giovannucci E

British journal of sports medicine··147,374 adults followed up to 30 years

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Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.