A healthy person should be able to do 1,000 squats in 19 minutes wall sit for 15 minutes," said the rehab specialist from FC "Dynamo," and it made me gasp. So far, my "record" with trembling legs is just 500 squats and 8 minutes of wall sit. Being a "healthy person" seems like an impossible feat. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have reached that level even before my knee surgery. And yet, every day, I practiced jiu-jitsu, lifted weights, or swung kettlebells.
Some might object to such high standards, saying that it's hard to find such people even in a sports club. But for me, it illustrates how low the demands are for our bodies in city life. Smooth roads, elevators, scooters, cars, and delivery services have virtually eliminated physical effort and labor. Someone might brush it off, saying, "There are no situations where you need to do 1,000 squats. Having such strength reserves is excessive."
In times of war, that argument is laughable. Life can exponentially complicate at any moment because chaos knows no limits. There are countless real scenarios where we might pray for any extra strength. But even in a peaceful oasis of stability and quiet (where?), there's a reason to challenge our bodies much more.
Biochemist and science communicator Rhonda Patrick talked about how being in great physical shape in midlife delayed the onset of dementia in women by 9.5 years. Larger brain volumes have also been linked to increased physical activity [1]. Recent research suggests that grip strength is a biomarker of biological age [2]. Another study showed that higher levels of physical activity may be causally linked to a reduced risk of depression. Moreover, physical exercises ease depression symptoms, aid recovery from depressive disorders, and prevent relapses [3].
It seems to me that systematically increasing physical activity is a win-win for everything.
Yours sincerely,
-Alexander
You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.
”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.
"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.