“Endlessly fascinating and full of surprises” (Bill Bryson), Harvard professor Daniel Lieberman joins us to debunk fitness industry myths and explore the real science of health.
The contemporary western approach to exercise has become increasingly commercialised, industrialised and medicalised, with a constant stream of advice fed to us from the fitness industry. However, the mix of information is often marred by misconceptions, exaggerations and occasional mistruths, as well as being confusing – and even off-putting – for anyone looking to get fit or lose weight.
Daniel Lieberman is a leading figure in the field of human evolution and Professor of Biological Sciences at Harvard University. Renowned for his research on the evolution of running, which he also enjoys himself – sometimes barefoot, earning him the nickname the ‘Barefoot Professor’ – he joins How To Academy to explore over a decade of high-level scientific research and eye-opening insights, debunking ten persistent myths about fitness and health.
In this livestreamed talk, Professor Lieberman will provide the real science behind our modern attitude to exercise and ask, did we actually evolve to exercise? Does running ruin our knees? Is there a link between exercise and immunity? Should older people cut back on activity? Is sitting at a desk bad for us? Do we really need 8 hours of sleep?
Don’t miss this ground-breaking, essential and compelling account of the science of exercising well and enjoy physical and mental health.
Praise for Daniel Lieberman:
“Endlessly fascinating and full of surprises. Lieberman strikes a perfect balance of scholarship, wit and enthusiasm for his subject. This is easily one of my books of the year” – Bill Bryson, bestselling author of The Body
“Were we born to run, to walk, or to sit on a couch? Daniel Lieberman, one of our leading human biologists, takes us through millions of years of evolution and diverse cultures around the planet to give us surprising, yet simple, answers. Exercised will change the way you think about exercise, diet, and your own wellbeing”- Neil Shubin, University of Chicago, author of Your Inner Fish
“Wow. Exercised is such a surprising, erudite and revelatory look at the natural history of physical activity and why exercise is both so necessary for us and so unnatural. It expands and alters our understanding of and feelings toward exercise, health, motivation and treadmills. A must-read for anyone with a working body and mind”- Gretchen Reynolds, New York Times-bestselling author of The First 20 Minutes
“In his earlier work, Daniel Lieberman explained how we were ‘born to run’. In Exercised, he explains that we were also ‘born to sit’. This often leads to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart attacks – chronic diseases unknown to early humans. Fortunately, Exercised also explains how physical activity can set us free from these ills. It’s both a fascinating read, and one that could nudge you toward a healthier (and longer) life” – Amby Burfoot, editor of Runner’s World
