How Old Are You Really? Our Three-part Fitness Test Will Reveal Your Gym Age

Since ancient times, a firm handshake has been regarded as a sign of confidence. First impressions are often built on them, according to a paper in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. John F. Kennedy, realizing its significance to his political career, even ordered a study into the best way to do this.

However, your hand's muscles show more than just confidence: Grip strength tests are increasingly being used by scientists as a proxy for your overall health. Additionally, a weak grip, according to researchers at the University of Michigan, indicates a lower level of overall muscular strength, which in turn indicates a biologically older age.

This is important because your chronological age, or the number of birthdays you've had, doesn't fully reflect the physical limitations that come with getting older. Smoking and a healthfully horrible eating routine, for instance, can speed up this downfall, making an inactive 40-year-old who lives on nicotine and cheeseburgers organically 'more seasoned' than a fit 50-year-old who adjusts his indecencies.

The University of Michigan study provides the strongest evidence yet of a connection between muscle weakness and biological aging and backs up previous findings that muscular strength is a predictor of longevity.

However, the most significant implication of the paper is that increasing or maintaining muscle strength throughout one's life may help halt the progression of numerous age-related diseases. To put it another way, muscle-building isn't just for showy 25-year-olds. Consider it a lifetime project.

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