Stronger: How to build strength: the secret to a longer healthier life

by David Vaux

Transform your health in ten simple steps - why strength is the magic bullet for ageless energy and longer life

What if you could take a medicine that reduces your chances of frailty, weakness, osteoporosis, preventable injury and early death by a factor of five? Something that dramatically increases your chance of a happy, healthy and independent older age?

Currently, no such medicine exists, but these rewards are within easy reach, and the answer is  strength building. In this groundbreaking book, renowned Osteopath David Vaux unveils decades of scientific research on strength and the musculoskeletal system. He explains why getting stronger is one of the simplest, cheapest and most life-changing things you can do - and unveils a simple ten-step strength plan that will empower you to embark on your journey towards a stronger and healthier life.

10-Step Strength Simple, easy-to-achieve steps to building strength and actionable With a comprehensive 10-step strength plan, "Stronger" provides readers with a clear roadmap to follow. The book breaks down the process of building strength into manageable steps, ensuring that readers can easily implement the strategies and techniques outlined to achieve tangible results.

Like a strength version of a pension plan, the earlier we start investing in our strength, the better our older age will be. Stronger is the definitive guide to unlocking a life full of vitality and health, explaining the what, why and how strength is key to longevity right up to your last day on this planet.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published July 2, 2024

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good science and data driven information. The strength program is primarily geared towards middle aged beginners, which wasn’t clarified in the Amazon description. I don’t think the second half of the book is significantly relevant to people who are engaged in a consistent strength program, but this would be a great book for people looking to start.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

***½

I think the person who will get the most out of this book is someone who is middle-aged and not currently active. He introduces a system and explains how and why exercise, in particular strength training, is important in middle age to help us age better. I have been exercising regularly for a long time, but the older I get, the more I realize my "why" for exercise has shifted from when I was younger. Now I realize how important it is to gain and maintain muscle in order to age better. This is nothing new. But when I see 80-something year olds at my gym lifting and taking classes and staying active, well, I am always happy to see it. And I hope that someday I am one of them.

Before reading this book, I hadn't thought much about grip strength but I am going to work on that some (being able to grab something if you fall down is an important reason why, which is something I had never thought about before, and it is also a good indicator of overall strength). Balance is also important. Also having protein/amino acid "reserves" in muscle helps when we are ill or in recovery. And the body remembers.. if you are someone who sits a lot, your body gets used to thinking of itself as a "sitter" and not an active person, and the opposite is also true. Listening to your body when it comes to injury and rest is important as well, and I'll admit I haven't always been good about this and have sometimes paid the price. There are also social aspects to the gym and exercise that he doesn't really touch upon, but still important.

I didn't read every exercise in full at the end, as I don't plan to modify what I am currently doing. But this book does bring up some good points. Also, as a Brit, he brings a slight different voice to it.

{library, paperback}

[Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

this isn't a book about getting jacked like a bodybuilder. it is literally about just getting stronger so that as you age you can live your life. I think that the information here is really useful for anybody who is new to fitness or for anyone who just wants something simple they can do to keep themselves moving as time goes on. I think it's definitely worth a look.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has 10 strength movements for the older adult to help them remain healthy, not fragile, as they age. The language is a little British, but overall helpful. The 10 exercises are easy to follow and expand on. Equipment is minimal. We'll see after I start doing the program!

[Paul Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant book for anyone looking to kickstart a strength routine. Full of good, readable directions and breaks down some technical elements into bitsized, understandable chunks. Would recommend this book to anyone considering getting them self ready for their elder years!

[Monsop Collado · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Practical and Sustainable Guide to Strength

I really enjoyed this book because it gave me a fresh perspective on the importance of strength for a long, healthy, and independent life. David Vaux explains strength as the “magic bullet” for longevity and independence, and his approach is simple and sustainable—ten foundational movements that can be done almost anywhere, even at home.

I especially appreciated the focus on safe progression, proper form, and lifestyle factors like protein intake and daily movement. However, if your main goal is to build significant muscle mass, this book may feel too basic. Overall, Stronger is a clear, motivating, and practical guide that I recommend for anyone looking to build strength for real life.

[narglednic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative but impractical.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

No new information here, but I do think he chooses some great exercises that most people can do at home.