Slow the F Down: Dismantling the Modern Fitness Lie with Brad Kearns
Mar 31, 2025
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Brad Kearns, a New York Times bestselling author and elite athlete, shares insights on fitness and aging. He advocates for walking and gentle exercise over high-intensity workouts, emphasizing the need for a mindful approach as we grow older. Kearns discusses the importance of understanding personal limits, especially for women, and highlights how strength training and frequent movement can enhance well-being. He also addresses the significance of hormone balance and encourages enjoyable, functional fitness routines for longevity.
As we age, embracing walking and moderate exercise can enhance health while minimizing injury risk associated with high-intensity workouts.
The hormonal endorphin rush following vigorous exercise serves a survival purpose but should not be the sole motivator for fitness routines.
Integrating resistance training and daily movement is essential for preserving strength and enhancing overall vitality in older adults.
Deep dives
The Shift in Fitness Philosophy with Age
As individuals age, their approach to fitness often needs to evolve to accommodate physical limitations and prevent injury. Pushing oneself too hard, especially in high-impact activities, can lead to recurrent injuries and joint problems in older adults. Embracing walking and moderate activities can still facilitate significant health benefits and improve overall well-being. Recognizing these changes allows for a more sustainable and enjoyable fitness routine, promoting longevity and a better quality of life.
Understanding the Benefits of Walking
Walking is highlighted as a powerful form of exercise that efficiently promotes fat burning while minimizing stress on the body. Brad Kearns emphasizes a specific training heart rate, known as the 'fat max heart rate,' wherein individuals can maximize fat burns without excessive stress on their joints or muscles. This approach is especially important as metabolism changes with age, showing that less intense workouts can yield better long-term results. By focusing on heart rate management, older adults can still achieve fitness goals without indulging in high-risk activities like running.
Rethinking Endorphins and Exercise Addiction
The podcast discusses the common misconception that the endorphin rush experienced after vigorous exercise is unequivocally positive, shedding light on its evolutionary purpose. This rush serves as a survival mechanism, particularly when facing life-threatening situations, suggesting that using it as a motivation for regular exercise can be counterproductive. While endorphins can enhance mood, relying on high-intensity workouts for this benefit may lead to burnout and injury. Cultivating a diversified exercise routine that includes lower-intensity activities can provide emotional balance without the risks of overexertion.
The Importance of Resistance Training and Daily Movement
Integrating resistance training into a fitness regimen is crucial for preserving muscle mass and enhancing overall strength, particularly for older adults. Short, targeted sessions can be far more effective than longer, over-demanding workouts. Daily movement, even in non-exercise forms—such as walking, stretching, or engaging in general activity—plays a paramount role in maintaining health and vitality as one ages. Encouraging consistent and varied physical activity can significantly enhance quality of life and stave off age-related decline.
The Evolving Understanding of Aging and Fitness
The discussion emphasizes that conventional fitness goals, such as completing marathons, may not align with the health needs of older individuals. The importance of adapting fitness to respect the aging process is highlighted, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritizes joy in movement over competitive achievement. It asserts the need to break away from outdated paradigms surrounding exercise and to embrace a broader interpretation of health and fitness that fosters longevity and well-being. By prioritizing patterns of sustainable activity, individuals can reclaim their health without the strain and injuries associated with traditional strenuous activities.
Elite athlete and author Brad Kearns discusses a transformative fitness approach as we age, emphasizing walking and gentle exercise over high-intensity workouts. Co-author of 'Born to Walk' with Mark Sisson, he argues that rigorous activities can harm aging bodies, leading to injuries. Kearns highlights the benefits of Zone One cardiovascular efforts, strength training, and the evolutionary reasons for endorphin rushes. Dr. Mindy also stresses the need for aging individuals, particularly women, to embrace activities that align with their changing bodies instead of pursuing intense, potentially harmful fitness goals.
To view full show notes, more information on our guests, resources mentioned in the episode, discount codes, transcripts, and more, visit https://drmindypelz.com/ep281
Brad Kearns is a New York Times bestselling author, former two-time US national champion and #3 world-ranked professional triathlete, and currently elite masters track and field sprinter and high jumper. He placed 2nd in the 2024 USA Masters National Championships age 55-59 high jump. His B.rad podcast is a top-10 ranked Apple Podcasts "Fitness" category show covering diet, fitness, peak performance, personal growth and longevity with Brad's carefree style and lively sense of humour. More at BradKearns.com
His 2025 book with Mark Sisson titled Born To Walk exposes the hype and broken promises of the running boom, and how walking extensively every day is a fundamental genetic expectation for human health. More at BornToWalkBook.com