We often think of strength training as something reserved for bodybuilders or gym fanatics, but the truth is, it’s one of the best things anyone can do for their long-term health.

If you’ve ever had back pain, you might have been told to “take it easy”. While rest can help in the short term, too much of it can actually slow recovery and increase stiffness. Our backs are designed to move — and gentle, structured activity is now widely recognised as one of the best ways to help manage and prevent pain.

As we get older, many of us accept aches, pains, and a loss of physical strength as just another part of ageing. But what if these changes were not simply inevitable, but rather the result of a largely preventable condition?