Most Americans think they’re active, but the reality is, very few are actually building muscle.
In a roundtable conversation, longevity expert Dr. Peter Attia discussed just how small the percentage really is.
Let’s break it down:
- Around 30% of Americans have a gym membership.
- Of those, only half go consistently, leaving just 15% of Americans who regularly attend the gym.
- Of that group, half don’t lift weights, meaning only about 7% of Americans are actually doing resistance training with any regularity.
- And when it comes to training effectively, using proper form, progression, and recovery, that number drops even lower.
Now add the millions of people with home gyms. While convenient, research suggests only about 5% of home gym owners use them regularly.
And for online workout programs? The stats are even worse. Only 10% of buyers finish the programs they purchase.
So when you add it all up, less than 5% of Americans are truly training with purpose, building strength, not just burning calories.
Why Muscle Matters More Than Anything Else
Muscle is the single most important factor in maintaining long-term health. It supports your metabolism, protects your joints, improves balance, and increases your resilience against aging.
Yet the majority of people over 40 spend decades dieting, doing cardio, and chasing calorie burns, all while losing lean tissue and lowering their metabolic rate.
At Todd Smith Fitness, we help people rebuild what matters most: muscle.
The Only Proven Way to Build Muscle
There’s only one way to build muscle, and that’s through resistance training.
Lifting weights is the most reliable, science-backed method to:
- Boost your metabolic rate
- Improve mobility and joint health
- Strengthen bones and connective tissue
- Enhance energy and longevity
But it’s not fast. You don’t build a strong, capable body in 30 days. You get there by being good for a very long time: consistent, patient, and focused.
Common Training Mistakes People Make
1. Compound Exercises Aren’t “One Size Fits All”
Big lifts like squats and deadlifts are great, but not for everyone.
Your body structure, joint mobility, and injury history determine what’s safe and effective. Proper modification isn’t weakness, it’s intelligent training.
2. Don’t Just Stretch, Activate
Feeling “tight” doesn’t always mean you need to stretch. Often, the issue is weak opposing muscles.
Example: If your lower back feels tight, your hip flexors may be pulling your spine forward.
Stretching the back isn’t the fix, strengthening the hips is.
3. Choose Safe Exercises You Can Train Hard
You don’t need to chase “cool” exercises, you need ones you can perform safely and intensely.
Most people can train their legs more effectively on a leg press than with a barbell squat, simply because it removes balance and spinal strain. Machines, cables, and stable setups allow you to train close to failure, where muscle actually grows.
4. Stop Changing Exercises Constantly
Muscle grows from mastery, not variety.
Your training should look like your fingerprint: unique to your history, goals, and abilities.
Stick with a handful of well-chosen movements, get strong at them, and progress slowly over time.
The Takeaway
The fitness industry sells quick results because that’s what people want to hear. But the truth is: Muscle takes time.
And if you’re over 40, 50, or 60, that time is your greatest advantage, if you use it wisely.
At Todd Smith Fitness, we teach real training for real results, no gimmicks, no “30-day promises.”
Our mission is simple:
- Build muscle
- Improve metabolism
- Keep you strong for life
Book a free consultation and learn how to build the strength and muscle your body truly needs, and make it last.
