Well informed: how to get strong

消息灵通:如何获得强大的力量

Babbage from The Economist

2025-09-11

28 分钟
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Conventional wisdom has it that you need to move your body regularly to stay fit. But these days scientists argue that you should probably trade in the treadmill for some dumbbells. Strength training is having a moment. In this episode, part of our “Well informed” series on wellness trends, we take an evidence-based look at three popular routes to maximising your strength: weightlifting, eating protein, and taking creatine supplements. The world of fitness is filled with powders and supplements that claim bold things, but what's the real secret to becoming—and staying—strong? Host: Alok Jha, The Economist's science and technology editor. Contributors: The Economist's Tim Cross, Richard Kreider of Texas A&M University. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.
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  • The Economist Here at The Economist, we've been scrutinising the health advice,

  • the fads and fitness trends in the news for a series in the science section.

  • Well-informed.

  • We read and assess the scientific studies so that you don't have to.

  • And every so often, we'll bring a selection of our findings to you here.

  • The aim?

  • Well, we want you to make well-informed decisions about your own life.

  • Do you want to be strong?

  • Do you want to live and be healthy for a long time?

  • Well, you know what to do, right?

  • Eat plenty of whole healthy foods, drink lots of water and move your body.

  • That means pounding the streets on a jog or perhaps riding a bike or doing an exercise class or anything that makes you sweat.

  • However, the consensus on how to stay healthy has been shifting in recent years.

  • It's not just about making your heart beat faster.

  • Nowadays the emphasis is moving back towards building muscles as a way to optimise your body.

  • Because building muscles, it turns out, is useful for much more than aesthetics alone.

  • It can improve your metabolism and blood pressure,

  • lower your risk of heart disease and act as a shield against some of the effects of aging.

  • So how do you become?

  • and stay strong.