2 weight training sessions a week could save your life

Push ups and sit ups could add years to your life according to a new study of over 80,000 adults led by the University of Sydney.

The largest study to compare the mortality outcomes of different types of exercise found people who did strength-based exercise had a 23 percent reduction in risk of premature death by any means, and a 31 percent reduction in cancer-related death.

Lead author Associate Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis from the School of Public Health and the Charles Perkins Centre said while strength training has been given some attention for functional benefits as we age, little research has looked at its impact on mortality.

"The study shows exercise that promotes muscular strength may be just as important for health as aerobic activities like jogging or cycling," said Associate Professor Stamatakis.

"And assuming our findings reflect cause and effect relationships, it may be even more vital when it comes to reducing risk of death from cancer."