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528 Chama, N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87108 http://www.cbass.com |
From The Desk Of Clarence Bass
By Clarence and Carol Bass
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Exercise Variety--Not Just Amount--Linked to Longer Life
Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that engaging in a variety of different types of exercise--from walking to weightlifting to gardening--may help extend life span.
The May 2026 issue of Harvard Health Letter says that researchers relied on health and lifestyle data collected from more than 111,000 adults over the course of 30 years. The participants reported how much time per week they spent doing different types of physical activity, including walking, bicycling, lap swimming, playing racquet sports, lifting weights, yoga, yard work, and other activities.
After adjusting for health and lifestyle factors that might confound the results, researchers compared the data on different exercises patterns to when and how participants died.
People with the highest variety of exercises were 19% less likely to die prematurely compared to those with the least amount of exercise variety.
This held true at every level of physical activity, regardless of how much time was spent exercising.
The study was published January 20, 2026, issue of BMJ Medicine.
My Take
Moving beyond Olympic Weightlifting was a good move for me. It kept me training beyond movements that are hard on the body, such as the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk (see below). My body would never have held up to more of the pounding of the three (now two) Olympic Lifts.
I wisely moved on to the endless movements of bodybuilding where variety is also a good choice.
Bodybuilding movements with barbells and dumbbells and adjustable benches and machines are much easier on the body, and offer a far greater area of stress.
The only limits in bodybuilding are those you set for yourself. If it hurts you can switch to movements that are easier on the body. Higher reps and lighter weights are much easier on the body.
My best lifting was at the January1963 Albuquerque City Championships where I pressed 250, snatched 235 and C & Jerked 315 for a total of 800. I did a little more in each lift, but I believe that was my best total.
In addition, I've long championed a combination of aerobics and weight training, and have done a wide variety of other activities - as the title of this article suggests is best: running, biking, rowing, Ski-Erg, Versa Climber, etc.
* * * I just finished a weight workout which I believe is a good example of what an old guy (I'm 88) can do to stay above ground. I do it in our home gym twice a week.
A seated row on a Keiser machine 110 lbs for 10 reps, Keiser chest press 80 for 10 reps, Keiser seated overhead press 35 for 10 reps, upright Kettlebell row for up to 20 reps, barbell curl for up to 20 reps, Seated resistance band pull downs for 50 reps, one leg calf raises, and Bench Squat for 50 or more reps. (My best on the bench squat is 65 reps.)
Bill Pearl put me on to high rep bench squats which are much easier on the lower back and knees than regular squats.
There is nothing magic about this workout, but it's a good example of what an old guy can do to stay active--without crippling himself.
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Walking and running are always there to challenge your body without stressing your joints. If it hurts you can always slow down or move to a friendlier surface.
If you tire of a movement you can switch to something else. The only limit is your imagination.
Keep moving and thinking. You'll be around longer if you do.
Clarence doing the Clean & Jerk. The weight is 300 pounds; he is about 19.
May 1, 2026 Comment on this article: FEEDBACK Ripped Enterprises, P.O. Box 51236, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181-1236 Home | Products Index | Ripped Bks | Lean Adv. Bks | Lean For Life | Recommended Bks | |Consultations | Tapes | To Order | Feedback] Copyright © 2026 Clarence and Carol Bass. All rights reserved.
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