Bald bearded man working on a laptop at a desk in a sunlit office with mountain views

First, Be a Good Animal.

First, Be a Good Animal: The science and philosophy of aging well for adults 50+.

Strength, longevity, and the joy of moving like a good animal, from a 74-year-old trainer still in training.

This is a collection of articles written by Marty Trussell, NASM-CPT, Founder of VirtaFitness. Part science, part memoir, part philosophy, this is a blog for anyone who wants not just to slow the decline, but to keep building.

It all begins with a series called The Numbers Don’t Lie. Five of them, to be precise. Five instruments. Five readings on the panel of the life support system you have been running, without checking the gauges, for most of your adult life.

Looking for something else? Use the Search Box below to find it.

Marty Trussell, NASM - CPT 10/21/26 Marty Trussell, NASM - CPT 10/21/26

Your Grip Strength Predicts Your Heart Attack Risk. Here’s How to Test It Today.

How hard you can squeeze your hand predicts your risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, fall injury, surgical outcomes, hospital readmission, and all-cause mortality.

Subscribe to our Blog.

Never miss a new post of useful fitness and nutrition information. Also, be the first to receive updates on new packages and special pricing .

We will never sell your name or email address.