Every week there seems to be a new headline telling us what we should (or shouldn’t) be doing to improve our health. One week it’s 10,000 steps, the next it’s intermittent fasting, smartwatches or the latest exercise trend.
It can be difficult to separate evidence-based advice from the latest fitness fad.
Over several years, Body Torque founder Alex Flint has been regularly invited onto Newstalk ZB’s Health Hub to discuss the latest research and explain what it actually means for everyday New Zealanders. His interviews cover topics including strength training, healthy ageing, weight loss, recovery, wearable technology and sustainable fitness habits.
Alex Flint is the founder of Body Torque and has spent more than 25 years helping people build strength, improve their health and stay active as they age.
His evidence-based approach has seen him regularly featured on Newstalk ZB, as well as appearing on television, coaching professional athletes and helping actors prepare for physically demanding roles.
Whether he’s speaking on national radio or coaching members inside Body Torque, Alex’s philosophy remains the same: Build a body that’s stronger for life.
Here’s a summary of some of the topics Alex has discussed, together with links to the full interviews.
As we move through our 40s and beyond, our bodies don’t respond quite the way they did in our 20s. Recovery takes longer, muscle mass naturally declines and busy work and family commitments can make staying consistent more challenging.
In this interview, Alex explains why staying fit after 40 isn’t about training harder, it’s about training smarter. He discusses the importance of strength training, recovery, consistency and building habits that support long-term health rather than chasing quick results.
Listen to the full Newstalk ZB interview →
Want to put these principles into practice?
Whether you prefer to train in person or online, we’ve got an option to suit you.
→ Explore our Newmarket Gym for over 40s
→ Discover our personalised Online coaching programme
If you’ve ever increased your workouts but seen little movement on the scales, you’re not alone. Many people assume that spending more time in the gym automatically leads to weight loss, but the reality is more complex.
While regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health, research shows that it’s often not the biggest driver of weight loss. Factors such as nutrition, appetite, daily habits and consistency usually have a much greater influence on long-term results.
In this interview, Alex explains why exercise is only one piece of the puzzle, why many people unknowingly eat back the calories they burn, and what actually works when your goal is sustainable weight loss.
Listen to the full Newstalk ZB interview →
Many people have heard they should train according to their body type. You may have been told you’re an ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph and that this should determine the exercises you do, how you eat or even whether you can build muscle.
But is that really true?
In this interview, Alex explains whether different body types actually require different training approaches and what current evidence suggests.
Listen to the full Newstalk ZB interview →
Millions of people use smartwatches to track their steps, calories, sleep and recovery. While they can be valuable tools for building healthy habits, many of the numbers they display are estimates rather than direct measurements.
In this interview, Alex discusses what the latest research says about wearable technology and how to use your smartwatch as a guide, not the only measure of your progress. He explains why factors such as how you feel, how you’re recovering and whether you’re getting stronger are often just as important as the numbers on your wrist.
Listen to the full Newstalk ZB interview →
Intermittent fasting has become one of the most talked-about approaches to weight loss in recent years. From the 16:8 method to the 5:2 diet, many people believe that when you eat is more important than what you eat.
However, a large review of 22 international studies found that intermittent fasting was no more effective for weight loss than traditional calorie-controlled diets. The research suggests that while intermittent fasting can work for some people, it isn’t a magic solution and doesn’t offer significant advantages over other sustainable eating patterns.
In this interview, Alex explains why intermittent fasting can be an effective tool for some people because it naturally helps control portion sizes, but that long-term success still comes down to creating sustainable habits and maintaining an overall calorie deficit. As Alex puts it, intermittent fasting has “a much better marketing department” than most diets but it isn’t necessarily superior to more traditional approaches.
Listen to the full Newstalk ZB interview →
For years, 10,000 steps a day has been promoted as the gold standard for good health. It’s a target built into many fitness trackers and smartphones, but is it really the magic number?
Research suggests that while walking more is almost always beneficial, there is nothing scientifically significant about reaching exactly 10,000 steps every day. Health benefits begin well before that point, and the biggest improvements often come from simply becoming more active than you were before.
In this interview, Alex explains why the focus shouldn’t be on chasing an arbitrary number, but on building sustainable habits that keep you moving consistently. Whether you walk 6,000, 8,000 or 10,000 steps, the most important thing is finding an activity level you can maintain over the long term and combining it with strength training for overall health and fitness.
Listen to the full Newstalk ZB interview →
Alex has also shared his thoughts on topics including:
View all Newstalk ZB interviews →
Health and fitness advice isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether your goal is to build strength, lose weight, improve your health or stay active as you age, the right approach depends on your individual goals, lifestyle and starting point.
At Body Torque, we help people over 40 cut through the noise and focus on strategies that are practical, sustainable and backed by evidence.
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To book your free 15-minute consultation with Alex Flint call 021 808 210
Not at all! In fact, your 40s, 50s and beyond are the perfect time to start training. We work with people of all fitness levels and will tailor your program to your body, your goals, and any injuries or concerns you may have.
Yes. We specialise in training around pain or injury with an ultimate goal to correct any imbalances you may have to help alleviate you from pain. Our coaches are experienced in creating safe, effective programs that will help you to build strength, increase your energy levels, and get you moving better.
We often hear our customers say they join for personal reasons, but they stay for the friendships, the motivating community vibe and the high level of expertise. Furthermore, our services also include 3D body scanning and integrated MyZone technology to help keep you motivated and track your results. It’s not about looking a certain way at Body Torque — it’s about feeling strong, confident, and supported.
Absolutely. Many of our members felt the same way when they started. We’re a welcoming, non-intimidating space. Minimal mirrors, no ego — just good people working to feel their best.
Your MyZone belt tracks your heart rate and effort in real time. You earn points based on how hard you’re working, and can see your stats on our gym leaderboard or via the app. It’s a great way to stay motivated — and a little friendly competition never hurts!
Yes — our online coaching service means you can train anywhere anytime under our guidance.
Our 3D body scanner gives you a detailed, accurate snapshot of your body’s shape, measurements, posture, and progress over time — far beyond what a scale or mirror can show. It’s a private, quick, and non-invasive way to track fat loss, muscle gain, and changes in posture or balance. It helps you stay motivated with real results you can see, not just feel.
Book a free 15-minute intro session. We’ll chat about your goals, assess where you’re at, and build a plan that works for your life if you wish to proceed. No pressure, no contracts — just a chance to see if Body Torque is right for you.
Drop us a line at info@bodytorque.co.nz or call Alex on 021 808 210
