Sedentary lifestyles might be taking years off your life. In a recently published Arnold’s Pump Club Newsletter on June 18, 2025, Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that standing more throughout the day boosts longevity and reduces the risk of early death by 55%.
Since winning his seventh and final Mr. Olympia title in 1980, Schwarzenegger has been on a mission to help others live longer and improve their health. He’s also gone to great lengths to extend his lifespan. Schwarzenegger sticks with a vegan-dominant diet nowadays but does make room for a steak from time to time.
Heart health is paramount for the bodybuilding legend. He was recently hospitalized and had a pacemaker installed, leading him to explore new strategies for preserving his wellness. While Schwarzenegger has been open about the benefits of walking, he’s now shedding light on why standing could be your ticket to a longer and more productive life.
‘Get Up, Even for a Little, & Your Health Will Benefit’ – Arnold Schwarzenegger Says Standing More Often Can Reduce Early Death Risk by 55%
In the published newsletter, Schwarzenegger revealed that standing up throughout the day can reduce the risk of early death by up to 55%.
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“The Standing Rule That Boosts Longevity
You don’t need to train for a marathon or lift like Arnold to add years to your life. Sometimes, the simplest health change is the one you’re probably ignoring — until now.Standing up throughout the day can help reduce your risk of early death by up to 55 percent.”
The study tracked thousands of individuals over several years, and researchers analyzed how often they interrupted long periods of sitting.
“That’s the takeaway from a study that tracked more than 7,900 adults over several years. Researchers weren’t just looking at how much people moved—they wanted to know how often they interrupted long periods of sitting.”
The findings revealed that even for those who engaged in workouts, it didn’t erase the risk associated with sitting most of the day.
“People with the most total sedentary time who sat for long, uninterrupted stretches had the highest risk of premature death. And no, even controlling for moderate to vigorous exercise didn’t erase the risk. That means a daily workout won’t undo the damage of sitting all day without movement.”
The antidote was simple: get up, even for a little, and your health will benefit.”
Schwarzenegger shared that scientists observed benefits from those who stood up for just a minute every 30 minutes.
“Those who stood up and moved for even a minute or two every 30 minutes slashed their risk by more than half.
Think about that. Just breaking up your sitting time — walking to get water, stretching, doing a quick bodyweight movement — signals your body that you’re not sedentary. And that one habit can have a compounding impact on your heart, metabolism, and even brain health.”
If you want to increase your time standing, Schwarzenegger said you can set a timer or use a watch as a friendly reminder:
“Set a timer or use your watch as a reminder to stand. Ideally, you’ll be able to do it every 30 minutes. Practically, even if it’s only every 2 to 3 hours, you’re still giving your body the benefit of getting up. If you’re on a call, pace. If you’re writing emails, do them while standing. If you’re watching TV, use commercial breaks as movement breaks. Tiny bursts of motion add up to massive health benefits.
You don’t have to overhaul your life. Just get up — and you’re already doing more than most.”
Schwarzenegger has been open and honest about the dangers caused by sitting for long periods. He broke down why 22 minutes of low-to-moderate exercise can help undo some of the damage connected to being sedentary.
“Research suggests that 22 minutes per day of low-to-moderate intensity exercise is enough to undo the increased health risks of inactivity. The scientists suggest that the exercise needed is the equivalent of a brisk walk, cycling, or gardening.”
At 77 years old, Schwarzenegger is after any health advantages he can get. Reducing the amount of time he sits is an easy lever he can pull for a healthier and longer life.
RELATED: Arnold Schwarzenegger Unveils the ‘Incredible Benefits’ of Exercising for Just 1 Minute Daily
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