JJ Virgin4x NYTimes Best Selling Author, Certified Nutrition Specialist, Fitness Hall of Famer

Why Getting Out Of A Chair Is Your Best Health Metric

22 Aug 2026 · 1 min

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In this video, JJ Virgin introduces a simple chair‑stand test—standing up from a seated position without using your hands—as a powerful indicator of longevity that may outperform traditional metrics like weight, BMI, or cardio fitness. She outlines the scientific research linking muscular strength, especially lower‑body power, to longer life spans, and explains why many people overlook this metric. Virgin then promises to walk viewers through how to perform the test, what the research specifically shows, and how she incorporates the test and related strength‑building strategies into her coaching program for women, providing actionable steps to start using it immediately.

Chapters

Let me ask you something. How easily can you get out of a chair without using your hands? Because it turns out that simple movement might actually predict how long you live better than your weight, your body mass index, or how much cardio you're doing. And most people completely overlook it. So in this video, I'm going to walk you through a simple test, what the research shows about strength and longevity, and what you should actually be doing instead. And stay with me until the end because I'm going to share exactly how I structure this With the women I coach so you can start applying it right away. So first—