Strength Training for Career Longevity

[gadders]

There is a magazine/website called "Global Capital" and they have a career problem page written by a guy called Craig Coben, who was a senior guy at a lot of banks.

One of the questions was How can I beat my bosses’ ageism?

Okay, I am in my mid 50s and work for a bank. I occupy a fairly senior position, confident of the importance of my contributions buttressed by the years of experience I have gained while working in the same line of business.

However, I am constantly asked about my age when I meet management above me, some of whom are younger than I am.

The whole answer is worth reading, but some key quotes:

We can debate the merits of this philosophy, but professional services firms, especially sales-oriented ones, often value athleticism and physical dynamism.

They recruit candidates who have played sports at a high level. This reflects, arguably, the Americanisation of banking culture.

Age discrimination may be illegal, but we see it in all walks of life
While there are successful bankers who are overweight and unfit, they’re a dying breed (figuratively, I should stress, although in some case maybe the stress is making that a literal condition) in an era when fitness is prized. Banks, law firms and consultancies like to hire ‘jocks’.

You need to recapture your youthful vim and vigour. That doesn’t mean you have to attend raves, wear face jewellery and dye your hair blue. But you need to look like you can go the distance.

And that means getting in shape. Seriously good shape. Pump iron! Weightlifting gives you size and definition, as opposed to that scrawny look you can get from the extreme cardio stuff. And walk with good posture and your chest proud, not hunched over like a knuckle-dragging simian. Exude power and energy.

So strength training is good for career as well as general longevity.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Hard to disagree.