Just 2 Hours of Strength Training a Week May Help You Live Longer
June 2, 2026
Strength training is heralded as a valuable aspect of an exercise regimen and regular physical activity.
A new study found that aiming for 90-120 minutes of strength training each week may help lower your risk of death.
The 30-year study, published on June 2 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found no additional benefits from more than 120 minutes of strength training.
This means for most people, around 1.5 to 2 hours per week is sufficient for overall health and longevity.
“It is important to engage in aerobic exercise that increases the heart rate. This new study finds [that] another important aspect of exercise is strength training, including free weights, weight machines, and body weight exercises,” said Clarinda Hougen, MD, a primary care sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Orthopedics in Los Angeles. Hougen wasn’t involved in the study.
“By training and growing your muscle mass, you can improve your metabolic health and help reduce cardiovascular risk,” Hougen told Healthline. healthline
