Ben Greenfield, author of the New York Times bestselling personal training masterpiece, “Beyond Training,” and one of the nation’s most respected voices on physical fitness, joins Jason Hartman on episode #51 of The Longevity & Biohacking Show. While technology undoubtedly makes it easier to diagnose and track what’s going on inside your body, Greenfield’s opinion on the shortcomings of unfettered “connection” might seem to fly in the face of his reputation. Let’s get to the good stuff.

All About Ben and Modern Personal Training

Since the 1970’s Americans have proven eternally eager to adopt the next big diet craze. The allure of taking a pill to achieve better health is an idea that catapulted the supplement industry to a multi-billion dollar status. But Ben Greenfield says, “It’s all about finding a balance.” He shares his insights on easy to perform at-home blood tests, online concierge medicinal groups and wireless fitness devices. He is an Ironman athlete who believes the simple act of moving is the best fitness regimen the general public should start with and that there are ways to prepare popular nutrient-dense foods to make them more digestible.

Pumping Iron is So Last Century

Readers of a certain age may recall Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1970s era book and documentary film of the same name, “Pumping Iron.” To say the times have changed would be putting it mildly. For those who don’t have their heart set on winning multiple Mr. Olympia competitions, Greenfield suggests the best place to start getting in shape is not the gym, but with a battery of simple blood or saliva tests. You can’t truly address your health needs without accessing the incredible amount of data and feedback available regarding what’s going on inside your body.

Blood Testing Ain’t What it Used to Be

It’s only been in the past decade that the kind of biological testing Mr. Greenfield refers to has become affordable to the masses. We have reached the point that anyone can figure out what is going on inside their body, to begin to take care of themselves, without having to take out a second mortgage. As a point of comparison, one test Greenfield recommends that used to tip the scale at $10,000 has shrunk to $400. While that is still a chunk of change to the average American, it will keep getting cheaper!  

What Technology Hath Wrought

Greenfield hypothesizes that, thanks to nanotechnology, it won’t be long until cheap at-home testing will be available for every possible need, and as simple as pricking a finger and smearing a drop of blood on a test strip. But until that day arrives, you have a few options for figuring out what’s going on internally.

You can certainly go to a physician for blood tests, though that might be a more expensive option. You might want to reduce costs by heading online to find any of the dozens of websites that specialize in lab testing. Fill out a form, print a confirmation, and pay a visit to your local dedicated laboratory facility. They’ll draw blood, run the tests, and a few days later you’ll receive a letter with the results. Got questions? Call the lab and talk to a doctor. It’s concierge medicine at its finest.

What Technology Fitness Tools are Worth a Darn?

Though Ben Greenfield’s reputation as a fitness trainer on the cutting edge of technology is confirmed, it might surprise some to know that he doesn’t recommend a lifestyle of being plugged in to your favorite Bluetooth device from dawn ‘til dusk. The main issue with a constant connection to devices like Fitbit or Jawbone is the long term effects of exposure to those signals has not been established. Kind of like with cell phones. Does everyone realize the manufacturer recommendation is not to allow it to come within one inch of your head? How many people disregard that suggestion? Let’s see a show of hands. That’s what we thought. Maybe all those signals zigging and zagging through our brain and elsewhere are are completely benevolent, but maybe they’re not.

That’s why Greenfield himself only plugs in for five minutes in the mornings to get a quick check of his biological readings, then puts away the tech stuff until the following morning. Likewise, he does not have wi-fi signals flying around inside his house, preferring to have everything hardwired. He laughingly refers to it as his “stupid” home.

Diet – It Doesn’t Have to Be Complex

There are two basic questions Ben Greenfield asks before deciding whether or not to adopt a particular food item into his diet. They are quite simple:

Q: Is it nutrient dense?

Q: Is it digestible?

As long as it meets these criteria, anything that grows, breathes, or moves is fair game. A cursory contemplation should bring the realization that he skews his eating towards the lightly processed and unadulterated. For example, a rice cake is easily digestible but it’s not nutrient dense. Milk is nutrient dense but the pasteurization and homogenization procedures render it almost indigestible to humans. Even quinoa, the “it” grain of the moment, is coated with an indigestible soap that must be soaked or rinsed away in order to enjoy the undeniable nutrition.

Better Than a Gym

Greenfield has a few specific recommendations when it comes to personal training. And you don’t really need a gym membership. The basic guideline is you must move every day, simulating to some extent our hunter/gatherer/farmer genetic heredity. Lift something heavy a few times a week: rocks, barbells, whatever you like. Subjecting your body to a heavy load keeps telomeres from shortening and delays the aging process. Additionally, make it a habit to sprint a few times a week. You want to keep this activity anaerobic, so don’t go over two minutes.

If you absolutely want to use an app, Greenfield suggests Safari Fit. To keep up with the latest news and information from this self-described volume blogger, check out his website at www.BenGreenfieldFitness.com(Image: Flickr | Christian Reed)

More from Jason Hartman:

Internal Healing and the Power of Probiotics

Chris Dancy: The Most Connected Man in the World?

The Longevity Project