This is about one of those “Why” questions. Why do I train myself physically? Or also, why should I train myself physically? To look good in my undies? To fight off diabetes? Both are solid answers to the question “Why?”. I have another reason and it is one that applies to everyone. Through our fitness journey there are always some ups and downs. I submit this as food for thought during one of those down times when you need a push to get going again.
We are all built with different natural physical tendencies. Some are fast, some are powerful, some can just keep going. As Gimli said, “I’m wasted on cross-country. We dwarves are natural sprinters. Very dangerous over short distances.” If you are fortunate enough these natural bents can make you very successful at a certain job or sport. However, maximizing the specific physical skill you are best at may be fun, but for most of us it will not increase your quality of life very much. What is extremely useful both day to day and over the course of a whole life is to be generally physically capable. Being physically well-rounded, handling whatever life throws at you often as well as whatever extreme situations may come your way.
Let me get more specific. Is being physically capable the ability to run 26.2 miles? For sure being able to run over long distances is part of being capable, but the chances of any of us needing to run that far to announce the defeat of the Persians is very slim. This would be an example of maximizing a specific kind of physical ability. For those that enjoy this or view it as a challenge they want to take on, this is a worthwhile endeavor. However, being able to just run repeatedly for shorter distances is much more useful over the course of a life. Running across a parking lot to catch a runaway grocery cart, doing a 5k with a friend, or running away from a situation that is becoming increasingly dangerous are all much more likely circumstances we might encounter. You want to be able to run for a while, I’d say at least half an hour if necessary. You also want to be able to run fast (fast being relative to each of us), whether that is chasing down a child stepping into a busy street or running from remote parking into the airport to catch your flight. You should run enough so that when you must run it’s not a big deal.
You should be strong. We are all routinely in situations where it would be useful to be able to pick up something that is heavy. Maximizing the strength your body is capable of is a physical attribute you will use almost every day of your life. Until you are strong you don’t realize how limiting it is to not be strong. Being able to move objects of various sizes makes you extremely useful to yourself and those around you.
You should be athletic. What do I mean by this? You should generally be able to control your body in a variety of situations and when required, look at a situation and be able to figure out how to physically overcome it. Being able to quickly climb up a ladder and climb onto an object/surface above you. Being able to move quickly up and down on an uneven path. Being able to slide underneath a car to grab your phone or climb into a tree to hang Christmas lights. Being generally athletic brings a freedom to life many people never know. It makes you unconcerned about trying out any kind of a new physical activity. You may be great at it or not that great, but you’ll be able to get the job done. This is the skill for adults that is the rarest. We may have endurance, or we may have big biceps or be able to bench 300lbs, but very quickly after our teenage years (and for many even earlier than that) we are not confident or prepared to try a new skill that may require speed, agility, or coordination. In a world where sudden outbreaks of violence are seemingly more common, the ability to run, climb, hang, jump, drop, or carry someone is the kind of ability that would provide some real benefit and peace of mind.
All of these can be graded on a curve based on age. Will you be as physically capable at 57 as at 27? Probably not quite. Having said that, the difference should be miniscule. “I’m too old” is an excuse we use to justify complacency. You may not be as fast or recover as quickly and the work to stay at that level gets harder, however, the feeling of accomplishment at staying useful is even more sweet. The drive to challenge yourself physically should be lifelong. Running, jumping, lifting, and throwing are all required skills for being a human that lives at a high level regardless of age. As the great George Strait said, “there’s a difference in living and living well”.
-Dan