Welcome back to the Daily Dumbbell, the newsletter that will never give you up or let you down. We especially won’t run around and desert you. We’re also the newsletter that had to google if there’s one or two s’s in desert.

That’s called balance.

Today we’re continuing our series on investing in your health and looking at some exciting new fitness tech! It’s bound to be an edition you’ll want to share far and wide. But enough shameless promotion,

Let’s dive in!

Sweat Equity:
The True Cost of Your Gym Membership

We're all about making smart investments at The Daily Dumbbell. And no, we're not talking about stocking up on weights and toilet paper in case there’s another pandemic causing the demand to spike for these essentials. That would be unethical.

We're talking about putting your money, time, and effort to good use. Today we’re talking about where you choose to work out and why that matters.

You know the saying, "You get what you pay for"? Well, it applies to health and fitness, too. Let’s look at 3 common options.

1. At Home Gym

2. A Cheap Gym

3. Boutique/Crossfit Gym

Home Gym:

The pandemic ushered in a new era of at home workouts. If you did yoga with Adrienne then you know what we’re talking about.

Some people went all out, equipping their garage or basement with the workout setup of their dreams. Others bought a few DBs and called it a day. Is it nice to not have to wait for equipment? To not have to lift around other weirdos? Absolutely.

But it’s time for that harsh honesty we all love. Are you the kind of person who can get it done when nobody is around? Is it enough to go into a different room of your house? There’s no shame in admitting you need a gym or the community to make it happen.

Cheap Gym:

Sure, you can sign up for a budget gym and pay a measly $12 a month, but what kind of atmosphere are you stepping into? A sea of disinterested treadmill walkers and a lack of community spirit? How do you think that will impact your journey?

Is there anyone pushing you? Anyone to compete with? What’s keeping you showing up?

A workout buddy might close the gap here and help with that motivation.

Boutique/Crossfit Gyms

Now, picture yourself at a boutique gym or your local CrossFit box, where the price tag might be a whopping $150 a month. Yikes! But wait, what's this?

A group of dedicated, like-minded individuals pushing themselves to be their best? A supportive, motivating environment that keeps you coming back for more? A place where you can count on coaching, community, and accountability?

What is that worth to you? 

The truth is, investing in your health isn't just about forking over cash. There’s more to it. It's about being honest with yourself. Can you be successful working out by yourself with no help?

Or, would you have more luck finding a place where you can thrive, surrounded by people who share your goals and make your fitness journey a priority. So, ask yourself, is it worth trading in that 50-cent-a-day gym membership for something that truly changes your life? You already know the answer, it’s jut a matter of making it happen.

Ponce de Longevity?
Bryan Johnson’s Quest for the Fountain of Youth

Every culture in modern history has obsessed over the idea of the fountain of youth.

While most have searched for hidden treasures or mystical potions to reverse the sands of time, one modern-day tech billionaire has asked the question “What if the secrets are hidden within our millions of scientific studies?”

With deep pockets, relentless determination and a cool robotic demeanor, Bryan Johnson is on a quest to crack the code of aging and maybe even defy death.

So grab your map and machete and stick close behind us. Today we’re crashing headlong into the jungle to explore the fascinating and borderline insane world of Bryan Johnson's longevity journey.

Who is Bryan Johnson?

Bryan with a y. This is very important because if you google Brian Johnson, you’ll only return ACDC results. But also this dipshit pops up:

Bryan Johnson is a tech billionaire with a passion for longevity that's as deep as his pockets. Instead of investing in shiny new yachts or taking extravagant vacations, Johnson's going to bed at 8:30pm and throwing his money at something most people only dream of: the quest for eternal youth.

Or, at the very least, he's determined to stop the aging process in its tracks.

What is he doing?

Johnson's daily routine reads like a sci-fi novel. He's got daily body fat scans, routine MRIs, and a penchant for invasive blood and stool sample tests to determine the biological age of his organs.

He pops more pills than a rock star, yet he logs 100% sleep score every single night.

With over 100 different protocols embedded in his day, he consumes a precise 1,977 calories and devours a whopping 70 pounds of veggies every month.

We were going to make a joke about him being like a llama but they actually eat 70lbs of veggies/hay a week… which is almost more impressive. This whole feature should have been about llamas.

Damn.

What does it mean for me?

You might be wondering if you should start turning your life upside down to mirror Johnson's extreme practices. And to that we say:

Don’t make us tap the sign.

While it's fascinating to learn about Johnson's intense dedication to his health, most of us mere mortals would see significant health improvements by focusing on the basics.

In other words, you don't need to become a billionaire biohacker to live a long, healthy life.

We’re big believers in the 80/so rule. The vast majority of the benefits can be found in a few foundational changes.

1. Optimizing sleep

2. Improving your diet

3. Working out regularly

Is he an insane person?

Maybe he's not entirely nuts, but Bryan Johnson's approach is definitely a unique one. While some may see him as a trailblazer pushing the boundaries of health and longevity, others might argue that he's a raving crackpot.

If you search his name on Twitter you’ll find takes from both ends of the spectrum.

Is there something to be learned from his unwavering commitment to his goals? We say no. Don’t drive yourself crazy trying to optimize every little thing in your life.

But! There is however, a ton we can learn from the outcomes of his experiments. You don’t spend 2 years and millions of dollars on a team of 32 scientists and get nothing out of it.

The Future of Health and Science

Johnson's experiments give us a glimpse into the potential future of health and science. As technology continues to advance, his strategies could become more accessible and mainstream.

For now, these protocols will likely cost you 6-7 figures. However, as it gets more popular, the supply of the demand will drive the price down.

While we might not all be signing up for daily body scans and meticulously counting every calorie, innovations inspired by Johnson's quest could ultimately help us live healthier, more vibrant lives.

While Bryan’s extreme health practices might not be the path for everyone, it's a fascinating peek into the possibilities that lie ahead. But for now, most of us can stick to the tried-and-true basics of health and fitness and still reap the benefits of a longer, healthier life.

Stay tuned for the Daily Dumbbell Blueprint coming later this week!

Hope you have an amazing Tuesday, and as always, let us know if you loved or hated anything in this edition of the newsletter!