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Peter Attia's Exercise Framework

fitness · hard · 8-10 hours per week

What is Peter Attia's Exercise Framework?

A four-pillar exercise system designed for the 'Centenarian Decathlon' — the physical tasks you want to perform in your last decade of life. Built on stability (foundation), strength, Zone 2 aerobic training, and Zone 5 anaerobic training. Attia's framework treats exercise as the most potent longevity drug available, with 80% of training time in Zone 2 and 20% in high-intensity work.

Is there evidence for it?

EVIDENCEstrong

How do you do Peter Attia's Exercise Framework?

  1. 1.Train 6 days per week: M-W-F strength (alternating upper/lower body), Tu-Th-Sat Zone 2 cardio (45-60 min), Sunday combine Zone 2 + Zone 5 intervals
  2. 2.Dedicate 10-15 minutes of every session to stability work — DNS-based exercises, rotational movements, single-leg balance, and foot strengthening
  3. 3.For Zone 2: maintain the highest output where lactate stays below 2 mmol/L (roughly 60-70% max HR), able to hold a conversation but not comfortably
  4. 4.For Zone 5 / VO2max: perform 4x4 protocol — 4 minutes at maximum sustainable effort followed by 4 minutes recovery, once per week
  5. 5.For strength: prioritize compound movements (deadlift, squat, carry, pull-up) with focus on eccentric control and grip strength; test 1RM periodically

How long does it take?

8-10 hours per week.

Is it hard to start?

hard.

Source: Peter Attia MD — Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity (2023); The Drive Podcast episodes #206, #261
exercise · vo2max · zone-2 · strength · stability · centenarian-decathlon · peter-attia
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