Is More Exercise Really Better? New Research Says: Not Always

We’ve all heard the advice:
Exercise more to live longer. But what if pushing harder at the gym or logging hours of intense workouts isn’t the secret to longevity after all?

A surprising new study from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland suggests
That doing more exercise doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll live longer—in fact, it could have the opposite effect.

The 30-Year Study That Turned Heads

Researchers followed 22,750 twins born before 1958 over a 30-year period. These participants were divided into four categories based on how active they were: sedentary, moderately active, active, and highly active.

Here’s the twist:
The sedentary and moderately active groups had a 7% lower risk of mortality. But the highly active individuals? They didn’t live any longer—and in some cases, the benefits even vanished over time.

This contradicts many long-held beliefs about the link between strenuous activity and healthspan.

WHO Recommendations Weren’t the Magic Bullet Either

The World Health Organization currently recommends:

• 150–300 minutes of moderate exercise, or
• 75–150 minutes of strenuous exercise weekly.

But the study revealed that people who followed these guidelines didn’t enjoy longer lives either.
This leads to the question—are we overtraining in the name of health?

Genes Aren’t to Blame

One of the most intriguing aspects of the study is that many identical twins—with the same genetic profile—lived very different lifestyles.
One might have been a runner; the other, mostly sedentary. Yet, both had similar longevity outcomes. Even for those with a genetic predisposition to heart disease, exercise wasn’t necessarily protective in the long term.

What About Biological Age?

This is where things get interesting. The researchers discovered a U-shaped curve in terms of how exercise affected biological age.

In short:

• Too little exercise? Negative impact.
• Too much exercise? Also a negative impact.

So where’s the sweet spot? Moderation.

It turns out, lifestyle factors like smoking and alcohol consumption may play a bigger role in aging than moderate activity levels. Those who exercised too little—or too much—were more likely to smoke or drink excessively.

So What Should We Do Instead?

As with most things in life, balance is key. 

Here are a few takeaways from the research and how they tie into the holistic lifestyle we love at True Organic of Sweden:

• Move gently and daily – Whether it’s a brisk walk with your dog, yoga, or a bike ride through the park, find ways to stay active without overexerting yourself.
• Nourish your body – What you put on your skin is as important as what you put in your body. Support your wellness with our Face It serum, packed with chia seed oil, a powerful anti-inflammatory.
• Support natural aging – Regular use of clean, organic skincare products like our All You Need Is Me balm can help your skin stay soft, resilient, and radiant through every season.
• Reduce toxins – Smoking, alcohol, and synthetic chemicals (even in personal care products) can speed up biological aging. Switch to natural deodorants like Undercover Agent for a cleaner, kinder lifestyle.

Final Thought

Longevity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what’s right for your body. Don’t chase extreme workouts in the hope of eternal youth. Instead, cultivate a routine rooted in balance, joy, and organic living.