A Simple Move That Changes Everything

There’s this guy at the gym — let’s call him Mr. Oilman. Every time before hitting the treadmill, he rubs medicated oil on his knees. Then he hops on and walks. For him, that’s exercise. And honestly, it’s a good start.

But I couldn’t help thinking: what if he didn’t need that oil every time? What if his knees could carry him without pain?

See, 🚶🏻‍♂️walking on the treadmill is cardio respiratory training — great for the ❤️heart and lungs. But it doesn’t build the 💪strong muscles that shield the knees from wear and tear. That’s where resistance training comes in. Without it, the joints take the brunt of every step.

Many people skip resistance training because they think cardio burns fat faster. But the truth is — muscle is your long-term ally. More muscle means more support, better calorie burn over time. Without muscle, you’re not protecting your joints, not improving posture, and not unlocking your body’s full power. Muscle isn’t just for athletes — it’s for anyone who wants to move without pain, age with strength, and truly own their health.

So if you’ve never done resistance training before, I have the easiest place to start — the bodyweight squat. No equipment, no fancy gym setup, just you and gravity.

If squats feel intimidating, start simple: use a chair. Sit down slowly, then stand back up — that’s your first squat. For extra support, especially for older adults, place another chair in front to hold onto. This builds strength safely and prepares your body for deeper squats later.