What is Healthspan and Why It Matters

When most people think about longevity, they picture the number of years lived or lifespan. But the real question is: how many of those years are lived with vitality, strength, and independence?

When you're considering the quality of your life as you age, you're considering the concept of Healthspan. I know it may seem very far off, but let's dig into this concept and discuss why it matters.

Healthspan vs. Lifespan

Lifespan refers to the number of years a person lives, while Healthspan refers to the number of those years lived free from chronic disease, injury, and dependency. You may live to 85, but if the last 20 years are marked by immobility, illness, and dependency on others for your basic care, your Healthspan has been cut short.

I know it's a lofty one, but we should set a goal so that our Healthspan and Lifespan closely align.

Practical Examples of Healthspan

I'm not there yet, but I'm hoping that I'm still working out at 75. I'm sure at that age, my workouts will be different. I'll be moving much more slowly, more methodically, and perhaps there will be things I simply won't do anymore (like single legged squats 😁). But besides working out, we should think about our Healthspan in practical terms using practical examples.

At 65 years old, will you be able to...

1️⃣ Play with your kids or grandkids without pain?

2️⃣ Climb the stairs?

3️⃣ Drive to the market and carry groceries into the house?

4️⃣ Get off the toilet or off the couch without assistance?

5️⃣ Walk from the kitchen to the living room without getting winded?

These are all markers of health  and independence. Maybe you're not running a mile at 70 years old, but you don't want to have to use a walker to perform daily tasks, do you?

CrossFit Vertex's emphasis on functional fitness — walking, running, squatting, pressing, pulling, carrying, and jumping — directly supports extending Healthspan through training. You perform activities that mimic life's daily tasks during our Group Classes. For an in depth look on Healthspan, check out CrossFit's Exercise for Longevity in its Health Summit series.

Why Healthspan Matters

Extending Healthspan means reducing years of decline and dependency. Repeating for emphasis. You reduce decline and dependency. It means thriving in your 60s, 70s, and beyond with strength, confidence, and function. CrossFit provides a pathway toward that reality by building not just fitness, but resilience. By training today, you’re not just adding years to your life — you’re adding life to your years. Want to dive deeper? Check these out: Strength Training for Heart Health and Top 5 Questions on CrossFit

It is up to you

Nobody's going to do it for you. If you want joy, independence, vitality, and to love life as you age, walk into your nearest CrossFit Affiliate or find an exercise and nutrition program that you can stick with.

Healthspan > Lifespan.

And it takes consistently prioritizing Nutrition, Sleep, Exercise, Coaching, and Community.

I'm Coach Joe Marcavage. I've owned CrossFit Vertex since it opened in 2012 and I've been working on my own health and fitness for over 30 years. I'd love to meet up to discuss how CrossFit Vertex can help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Joe's Schedule.

Joe Marcavage

Owner, CrossFit Vertex