In a recent conversation, renowned podcaster Joe Rogan and his longtime friend, comedian Bryan Callen, delved into the significance of strength training and the importance of lifting weights as one gets older.
Rogan emphasized the direct correlation between longevity and muscle mass, stating, “There’s a direct correlation between longevity and muscle mass. And there’s also, from preventing injuries, from a preventing injury standpoint, just being more resilient if you fall, things along those lines. You really wanna be strong.”
Callen echoed this sentiment, explaining that he follows a specific training regimen to maintain his strength and mobility. “I do these kettlebell routines where they’re really brutal, and I do them with long breaks in between them. I do that Pavel Tatsulin method. So what I do is, it depends on the day. Like some days I’ll do a body weight routine, which is much more cardiovascular intense. But when I do the kettlebell routine, I warm up with 35s, and then I do a couple of sets with 50s where I’m just basically doing like 10 reps, getting things going, and then I switch to 70s.”
Rogan, who has also adopted a similar approach, revealed that he rarely lifts weights heavier than 70 pounds. “The heaviest weight I lift is 70 pounds. Okay, there you go. That’s the same thing. I do these kettlebell routines where they’re really brutal, and I do them with long breaks in between them.”
Both Rogan and Callen emphasized the importance of not lifting to failure, a concept they learned from the renowned strength coach, Pavel Tsatsouline. Callen explained, “If you can do like 10 reps to failure, do five. Really? Yeah. And then wait a long time and then do another five. Why? Because you’re getting the same amount of work in, but you’re not breaking down your tissue in the same way. And he thinks it’ll help you recover quicker and it’ll condition your body to be able to do this more often.”
The duo’s approach to strength training, focused on maintaining muscle mass and joint health, underscores the importance of sustainable and injury-preventive workout routines as one ages. By prioritizing functional strength over heavy lifting, Rogan and Callen aim to keep their bodies in optimal condition, ensuring they can continue to enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle for years to come.
