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  • Exercised

  • The Science of Physical Activity, Rest and Health
  • By: Daniel Lieberman
  • Narrated by: Sean Runnette
  • Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (102 ratings)

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Exercised cover art

Exercised

By: Daniel Lieberman
Narrated by: Sean Runnette
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The myth-busting science behind our modern attitudes to exercise: what our bodies really need, why it matters and its effects on health and wellbeing.

In industrialised nations, our sedentary lifestyles have contributed to skyrocketing rates of obesity and diseases like diabetes. A key remedy, we are told, is exercise - voluntary physical activity for the sake of health. However, most of us struggle to stay fit, and our attitudes to exercise are plagued by misconceptions, finger-pointing and anxiety.

But, as Daniel Lieberman shows in Exercised, the first book of its kind by a leading scientific expert, we never evolved to exercise. 

We are hardwired for moderate exertion throughout each day, not triathlons or treadmills. Drawing on over a decade of high-level scientific research and eye-opening insights from evolutionary biology and anthropology, Lieberman explains precisely how exercise can promote health; debunks persistent myths about sitting, speed, strength and endurance; and points the way towards more enjoyable and physically active living in the modern world.

©2020 Daniel Lieberman (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"Endlessly fascinating and full of surprises. Easily one of my books of the year." (Bill Bryson)

"Myth-busting, illuminating, brilliant - Lieberman will completely change the way you think about your body." (Professor Alice Roberts, presenter of Our Incredible Human Journey

What listeners say about Exercised

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A thoroughly interesting and informative read!

Daniel Lieberman has managed to convey a superbly balanced account of the evolutionary response to exercise and physical activity.
This is a ‘must read’ for anyone remotely concerned about their health and the health of our society in general.

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2 people found this helpful

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So interesting logical.

well I have been reassured by this book.
And will continue the life style with extra knowledge and vigor.
Thank you so much.

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Fascinating, Brilliant & Essential for health!

I loved this evolutionary anthropology perspective to provide context to a relatively recently phenomenon. Brilliant science and fantastically simple prescription at the end. Essential reading for all exercise practitioners.

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Interesting & Practical

Loved this book but would have like it to have been read by the author.

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amazing narrator

Great insights. Helping in connecting back to roots. kept me hooked until the end. Wanting me to go barefoot and also invest in right way of moving, walking and everything around living healthy

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Great Reminder!

I really like it. the book at the start empathise with people who think exercising is not normal, but gradually with great rational, reminds us why we must exercises!

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A great overview of the power of exercise

As an existing lover of exercise this book reaffirmed what I thought I already knew, albeit in much greater detail. Well narrated and structured it was a joy to listen to, on a long walk of course!

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Brilliant

An entertaining and fascinating read that will convince of the importance of exercise and motivatedyou to get off the couch!

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Great book, didn’t love the narration

This is a very interesting book, full of great insights. However the narrator has a strange sing-song voice which I found hard to lock onto. I’m sure others will disagree and I wouldn’t avoid this book solely on that basis.

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Fascinating, fantastic, faultless!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, I've now got every other Daniel Leiberman book ready to go!

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  • steveandtoni
  • 19-06-2021

Essential reading for every human being

An outstanding book

So good that I bought the Kindle version too so that I can go back to reread sections



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  • Aaron
  • 29-11-2023

Very interesting and well researched subject though a bit slow and long winded

Very interesting and well researched subject though a bit slow and long winded, needed more tips and key takeaways

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  • M K
  • 18-11-2020

Absolutely fantastic for any movement teachers

And anyone interested to find out more about how our bodies evolved in terms of daily movement. I’m a yoga teacher and a personal trainer and daily I come across people who struggle to exercise and blame themselves for it. Having read that book, your entire thinking process changes. You will choose to exercise, knowing it’s benefits, especially as we age, instead of forcing yourself to do so. That’s the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Understanding how movement was and should be part of our everyday life, helps to get a better grasp on how our body works. We literally need movement in order to thrive. It’s not about being constantly on a go but incorporating more movement into our lives. It doesn’t have to be complicated. ‘Keep it up as you age’

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11 people found this helpful

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  • G
  • 07-02-2021

Interesting to know the science behind exercise

Facts and presentation were Interesting but I didn’t warm to the narrator’s voice at all. Found it bearable at 1.1x. Not sure why US publishers find people with low monotone voices that are so hard to listen to.

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  • The BoatBuilder
  • 02-01-2021

An honest Appraisal

I liked how the book starts by questioning the need to exercise. Why Hunter gatherers don’t. Basically, technology has improved (made more exciting) our lives but brings with it a lot of baggage that is bad for our health.
Definitely worth listening to.

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  • Robert
  • 31-05-2021

Very run focused.

Very interesting book, mainly biased towards runners and running though.

A fair few questions left unanswered too.

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  • Val L.
  • 01-05-2021

Fabulous informative listen

I really enjoyed this book. Several people have commented that they did not warm to the narrator’s voice. He does speak quite slowly but once I was used to this i stopped noticing it and enjoyed the book greatly. It is a very interesting listen and the book is well structured. I would recommend it to anyone interested in health and well-being.

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  • MR T HADZIKADUNIC
  • 06-09-2021

Outstanding!

Great narrative backed up by lots of evidence. I'll be recommending this to friends and patients.

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  • Ersin
  • 03-11-2021

amazing book.

easy to listen. very informative and educational. explains everything you would want to know about exercise and ancestors

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  • Bo
  • 07-12-2023

Interesting and very informative

A great book. Easy to listen to, full of useful information and suggestions and extremely thought provoking.

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  • Keri
  • 30-09-2023

Lost momentum

Started fine . Good ideas /information about exercise and health. Was hard to finish in the end as it felt so repetitive. Also wish the narrator was different.

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  • Andy Casey
  • 29-09-2023

Excellent Listen

Extremely informative and well worth a read or listen. Some eye opening information and great stories.

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