Get Your Free Audiobook
-
Exercised
- The Science of Physical Activity, Rest and Health
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins
- Categories: Health & Wellness, Fitness, Diet & Nutrition
Publisher's Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
The myth-busting science behind our modern attitudes to exercise: what our bodies really need, why it matters and its effects on health and wellbeing.
In industrialised nations, our sedentary lifestyles have contributed to skyrocketing rates of obesity and diseases like diabetes. A key remedy, we are told, is exercise - voluntary physical activity for the sake of health. However, most of us struggle to stay fit, and our attitudes to exercise are plagued by misconceptions, finger-pointing and anxiety.
But, as Daniel Lieberman shows in Exercised, the first book of its kind by a leading scientific expert, we never evolved to exercise.
We are hardwired for moderate exertion throughout each day, not triathlons or treadmills. Drawing on over a decade of high-level scientific research and eye-opening insights from evolutionary biology and anthropology, Lieberman explains precisely how exercise can promote health; debunks persistent myths about sitting, speed, strength and endurance; and points the way towards more enjoyable and physically active living in the modern world.
Critic Reviews
"Endlessly fascinating and full of surprises. Easily one of my books of the year." (Bill Bryson)
"Myth-busting, illuminating, brilliant - Lieberman will completely change the way you think about your body." (Professor Alice Roberts, presenter of Our Incredible Human Journey)
More from the same
What listeners say about Exercised
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- The BoatBuilder
- 02-01-21
An honest Appraisal
I liked how the book starts by questioning the need to exercise. Why Hunter gatherers don’t. Basically, technology has improved (made more exciting) our lives but brings with it a lot of baggage that is bad for our health. Definitely worth listening to.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jonathan T
- 20-12-20
Excellent
A rigorous review of the history, benefits, drawbacks and science behind exercising for leisure and health, presented in a very readable and engaging style. The narration by Sean Runnette is spot on.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Suhail Mehre
- 12-12-20
Informative and interesting
Will be listening again and recommend to any one who is willing to put in the work to strive to live their best life.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- M K
- 18-11-20
Absolutely fantastic for any movement teachers
And anyone interested to find out more about how our bodies evolved in terms of daily movement. I’m a yoga teacher and a personal trainer and daily I come across people who struggle to exercise and blame themselves for it. Having read that book, your entire thinking process changes. You will choose to exercise, knowing it’s benefits, especially as we age, instead of forcing yourself to do so. That’s the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Understanding how movement was and should be part of our everyday life, helps to get a better grasp on how our body works. We literally need movement in order to thrive. It’s not about being constantly on a go but incorporating more movement into our lives. It doesn’t have to be complicated. ‘Keep it up as you age’
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 15-11-20
Objective, unbiased and factual
I quite enjoyed learning about the evolution of exercise and it’s importance in our sedentary lives. Highly recommended!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 02-11-20
Exercised by Daniel E. Lieberman
If you are interested in human evolution, sports, exercise, functions of the human body, myths behind weight loss and the reason why humans avoid exercise and grandparents often gives sweets to your children you should read this amazing book written by Daniel Lieberman. It’s a killer! #daniellieberman #harvarduniversity #humanevolution #sport #exercise #humanbody #killer @penguinbooks @audible
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tom
- 16-10-20
I loved this book. 5 stars across the board and the narration is sublime.
Great great audiobook. So interesting and although I felt I knew most of what was said already it was lovely to hear it from different perspectives and through stories from history. I will be reviewing on YouTube this weekend where I will go into more detail as to why it’s so good!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- damien longe
- 15-10-20
Life changing
Simple statements of scientific facts told in a interesting and everyday language. The conclusions reached will change how you live.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- C. J. Lane
- 08-10-20
Thoroughly Interesting!
Fantastic audiobook found it thoroughly interesting from start to finish. The sort of audiobook where I start finding chores to do around the house just so I have an excuse to listen to it! Well narrated, perfect tone for the content.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gonzo
- 25-09-20
exercise
brilliant from start to finish highly recommend this book and author. will look out his other published material
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris Dorman
- 14-12-20
Fascinating, Brilliant & Essential for health!
I loved this evolutionary anthropology perspective to provide context to a relatively recently phenomenon. Brilliant science and fantastically simple prescription at the end. Essential reading for all exercise practitioners.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 17-11-20
A thoroughly interesting and informative read!
Daniel Lieberman has managed to convey a superbly balanced account of the evolutionary response to exercise and physical activity. This is a ‘must read’ for anyone remotely concerned about their health and the health of our society in general.