By Henri Schmidt, CEO & Founder VBTec/Visionbody, Muscle Expert
Longevity and biohacking are, without question, fascinating topics.
I would never claim that they are nonsense. On the contrary, there is a great deal of research, new thinking, and valuable insights behind them. Humanity has been asking how to live longer for thousands of years. Even the ancient Egyptians were already thinking about how to extend life. In that sense, the desire for longevity is as old as humanity itself.
Yet, in today’s conversation, one essential factor is often overlooked: the role of muscle in supporting long-term health and resilience.
Why longevity became a market
We should not forget one important thing: longevity has become a multi-billion-dollar industry. It is a market of attention. In that market, we hear many big words, many buzzwords, and many ideas that sound spectacular.
That is not necessarily a bad thing. It is interesting to explore new approaches, experiment, and better understand our own bodies.
The problem with skipping fundamentals
But in all of this excitement, something essential is often forgotten: the foundation.
Many people want to try the latest biohack before mastering the basics. It is a bit like someone trying to play a complex piano sonata before they can even play a simple children's song.
The habits that matter more than the hype
In fundamental medicine and health science, well-being always begins with the basic building blocks the body needs to function properly.
One of these pillars is the supply of essential nutrients. There are around 47 essential substances the body needs every day to operate optimally. Without this foundation, no system in the body can function at its best.
Another important factor is protein intake. A stable protein supply is crucial for many biological processes for regeneration, performance, and cellular function.
Then there is something very simple, yet extremely powerful: sleep.
Many people try to optimize their sleep with gadgets and biohacks before they even manage to sleep well consistently.
Why muscle still wins
There is another fundamental pillar of the longevity conversation that is often overlooked: muscle.
Muscle tissue is not just about aesthetics or athletic performance. It is one of the most important biological assets we have. Muscle plays a critical role in metabolism, glucose regulation, hormonal balance, resilience, and overall health as we age.
In fact, many researchers today describe muscle as one of the most important organs of longevity.
Without sufficient muscle mass and regular muscle training, many other interventions, whether supplements, biohacks, or therapies, lose much of their potential impact.
Why Biohacking Strategies Cannot Replace Muscle Training
You can experiment with red light therapy, cold exposure, supplements, or other advanced tools. But if the body lacks muscle and physical strength, the biological foundation is not there.
Muscle training is therefore not just a fitness activity. It is a core pillar of health, resilience, and longevity, even when applied using principles like the minimum effective dose for strength training.
Of course, all of these areas can be optimized and refined over time. Technology, biohacking, and longevity research can provide fascinating insights and tools. But the key question should always be: Is the foundation in place?
Biohacking can be exciting. Longevity is a fascinating field, and we will certainly talk about these topics here as well.
But my message today is simple: Do not forget the fundamentals.
Longevity is not built on spectacular hacks or futuristic gadgets alone. It begins with the biological fundamentals that have always mattered: nutrients, sleep, and muscle.
Technology can support these foundations, but it cannot replace them. If we truly want to live longer and stay strong while doing so, we must start with the most powerful longevity organ we have, our muscles.
I’m Henri Schmidt, CEO and founder of VBTec/Visionbody. For more than 35 years I have worked in the fitness, health, and sports technology industry, focusing on how muscle strength supports performance, resilience, and long-term health. I developed the world’s first fully wireless whole-body EMS training system and continue to explore how muscle can serve as one of the most important foundations of longevity.
