A Thorough Examination with Drs Chris and Xand: Exercise

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Drs Chris and Xand explore the science of exercise and the dangers of inactivity.

Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the science of exercise and the dangers of inactivity. Can Xand persuade Chris to do some exercise?

Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken investigate the science of exercise and the dangers of inactivity.

Is modern exercise a wellness cult? Or is it a vital cure for a world that's struggling with ill health and stuck on the sofa? Most of us might like to get a bit fitter, but how easy is it to actually start exercising and give up sedentary habits? 

In this series Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken examine exercise and how best to do it. How much should we be doing? How does it help our bodies? And how does our surrounding environment stand in the way of us getting fitter? Chris is challenged to examine his scepticism towards exercise. Similarly, Xand is asked to look at his new-found exercise evangelism and see what he is really running from. 

Recently Xand has discovered the joys of physical activity. He's running, cycling, heading to the gym and playing ping pong like never before. It's been a real transformation and a way to keep on top of things after years of unhealthy living. 

His twin brother Chris, on the other hand, is really feeling the aches and pains of middle age. With a busy job and a young family, he has precious little spare time for exercise. After a very active period in his 20s and 30s, Chris is now embracing his 'Dad bod' and sliding into a creaky middle age. Xand wants to help him turn things around. Can he do it?

Exercise - Series 3 preview

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A Thorough Examination with Drs Chris and Xand: Series 3: Exercise: S3. Ep 3 - Ultra Processed Exercise

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S3. Ep 3 - Ultra Processed Exercise

Series 3: Exercise

BBC Radio 4 - A Thorough Examination with Drs Chris and Xand, Series 3: Exercise, S3. Ep 3 - Ultra Processed Exercise

The Van Tulleken twins explore the science of exercise and the dangers of inactivity.

Xand Van Tulleken has got fit. At the same time, his twin brother Chris has descended into a very creaky middle age.  Can Xand persuade Chris to do some exercise?

Drs Chris and Xand Van Tulleken investigate the science of exercise and the dangers of inactivity.

Is modern exercise a wellness cult? Or is it a vital cure for a world that’s struggling with ill health and stuck on the sofa? Most of us might like to get a bit fitter, but how easy is it to actually start exercising and give up sedentary habits?
 
In this series Drs Chris and Xand Van Tulleken examine exercise and how best to do it. How much should we be doing? How does it help our bodies? And how does our surrounding environment stand in the way of us getting fitter? Chris is challenged to examine his scepticism towards exercise. Similarly, Xand is asked to look at his new-found exercise evangelism and see what he is really running from.
 
Recently Xand has discovered the joys of physical activity. He’s running, cycling, heading to the gym and playing ping pong like never before. It’s been a real transformation and a way to keep on top of things after years of unhealthy living.
 
His twin brother Chris, on the other hand, is really feeling the aches and pains of middle age.  With a busy job and a young family, he has precious little spare time for exercise.  After a very active period in his 20s and 30s, Chris is now embracing his ‘Dad bod’ and sliding into a creaky middle age.  Xand wants to help him turn things around. Can he do it?

In Episode 3 - Ultra Processed Exercise - the twins meet Danielle Friedman, author of ‘Let's Get Physical: How Women Discovered Exercise and Reshaped the World’. She explains how the fitness industry evolved since the 1950s and how it targets women. Meanwhile, Chris takes a trip to his local gym to start getting into shape for his upcoming half marathon. He also chats with David Colquhoun (Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology at University College London) about their shared suspicion towards exercise and the social pressure to be fit. 

Presented by Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken
Producer: Tom Woolfenden
Sound Design: Dan King 
Series Editor: Jo Rowntree 
A Van Tulleken Brothers and Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

A Thorough Examination with Drs Chris and Xand: Series 3: Exercise

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken investigate the science of exercise and the dangers of inactivity.

Is modern exercise a wellness cult? Or is it a vital cure for a world that's struggling with ill health and stuck on the sofa? Most of us might like to get a bit fitter, but how easy is it to actually start exercising and give up sedentary habits?

In this series Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken examine exercise and how best to do it. How much should we be doing? How does it help our bodies? And how does our surrounding environment stand in the way of us getting fitter? Chris is challenged to examine his scepticism towards exercise. Similarly, Xand is asked to look at his new-found exercise evangelism and see what he is really running from.

Recently Xand has discovered the joys of physical activity. He's running, cycling, heading to the gym and playing ping pong like never before. It's been a real transformation and a way to keep on top of things after years of unhealthy living.

His twin brother Chris, on the other hand, is really feeling the aches and pains of middle age. With a busy job and a young family, he has precious little spare time for exercise. After a very active period in his 20s and 30s, Chris is now embracing his 'Dad bod' and sliding into a creaky middle age. Xand wants to help him turn things around. Can he do it?

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A Thorough Examination with Drs Chris and Xand

Series 3: Exercise

S3. Ep 3 - Ultra Processed Exercise

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