
Member Reviews

I'm not in this age group but it's approaching fast, so I was very interested to read this book.
I really liked his approach - do this exercise so you can carry on doing this everyday action (say, going to the bathroom by yourself!), as you get older. Some of the research was a bit depressing - so that did the trick in inspiring me to get on with exercising - although to be fair, that's why I picked this book up! The exercises are simple enough and I could understand the reason behind them, which is motivating. Sometimes I found the explanations a bit long winded, but I suppose better to err on that side.
A useful, if occasionally sobering, read - now to go and put it into practise!

Move for Life is a practical, compassionate, and incredibly useful guide that empowers older adults to maintain strength, balance, and independence through movement. Damien A. Joyner has created a resource that feels like having a knowledgeable coach and a thoughtful friend rolled into one.
This book would make an excellent companion to Peter Attia’s Outlive, particularly for readers seeking a more focused and immediately actionable approach tailored to the older age group. While Outlive takes a broader view on longevity and health optimization, Move for Life drills into the everyday realities of aging and offers clear strategies to help readers stay mobile and engaged with life.
What stands out most is Joyner’s emphasis on function and relatability. The exercises aren’t abstract or overly technical; they’re grounded in real-life tasks, like bending to pick something up, getting out of a chair, or reaching into a cabinet. This practical framing makes the advice feel accessible and relevant, especially for those who might be intimidated by typical fitness books.
Joyner’s tone is encouraging without being patronizing. He respects the reader’s experience and autonomy while gently guiding them to take positive steps. Whether you’re already active or just starting to think about moving more, this book meets you where you are.
Overall, Move for Life is a smart, engaging guide that deserves a place on the shelf of anyone interested in aging well. It’s not about extreme workouts or biohacking; it’s about reclaiming confidence and freedom through intentional, sustainable movement.

I found the positive outlook of this book inspiring. Damien encourages you to get moving, stating it's never too late to start, just to find your baseline, namely how able your body is right now, and build up from there in small steps with being consistent in your activity. By staying active, you will retain your independence and ability to do the things that bring you joy in life.
Damien has a holistic approach, not only discussing exercise but making you aware of the importance of your mental well being, diet, hydration, and the different aspects of physical function. Chapters that stand out for me concern photos regarding activities of daily living and how real life movements overlap with the exercises that we should practice and improve on to enable us to complete these tasks. The falls prevention chapter was also really helpful, with exercises, balance, sensory issues and foot health considered. Variety of movement is promoted through stretching, strength training, resistance training and water based activities, he also prompts you to remember to breathe and to constantly challenge yourself.
At the back of the book, there is a reference section listing the enlightening studies he discussed, and a large resources section, which is understandably mostly US centric, but there are also links that can be accessed online for all to use.
I enjoyed this age positive book and would recommend it. Thank you to the publisher North Atlantic books for this book, which was provided by NetGalley for review. My thoughts are wholly my own.

The actual exercises in Move for Life are certainly safe, straightforward and useful.
The information that comes before was engaging and helpful for someone like me who is reading this for her parents/in-laws/elderly relatives and her future self.