Want to Live Longer? Make This One Simple Change...

Posted: 7.20.2016

Strength training twice a week may help you live longer, according to a new report from Pennsylvania State University. Researchers analyzed data on more than 30,000 Americans age 65 and older over a 15-year period and found that those who strength trained at least twice a week had 46 percent lower odds of death for any reason (including cancer and heart disease) than those who did not strength train.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend twice-a-week strength training, noting that it can also reduce the signs and symptoms of heart disease, diabetes,osteoporosis and back pain. Effective activities include lifting weights, working with resistance bands, yoga, climbing stairs and doing calisthenics such as push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups.

If you are a HealthTrust enrollee, retiree or covered family member age 18 or older and you have completed your Health Assessment, you can receive up to $100 reimbursement per year for taking a strength training (or other exercise) class. For details, click the “Forms and Documents" button on our home page and scroll down to the tab that says Health Awareness Program Reimbursement Request Form (2016).