Brain pump

The Brief

Welcome back, Wellworthy readers.

Leg day matters, even if you’d rather skip it.

Aesthetics are a major motivator, from how your clothes fit to how confident you feel. But the benefits go way beyond appearance.

Turns out, lower-body strength may also support brain health as we age.

Today, we’re digging into the surprising connection between strong legs and a sharp mind.

Here’s what’s inside:

• How leg strength slows cognitive decline

• Arnold Schwarzenegger’s go-to supplements

• Plus: Outdoor Voices’ new Pilates collection, Nike’s pickleball deal, and a $75k ‘longevity’ capsule

Here we go!

— Jake, Joana & Ash

The Breakdown

Exercise is good for the brain, but leg strength might have an outsized impact.

In a study of 1,500 older adults, lower-body power was a stronger predictor of cognitive health than age or how often someone exercised. Those with the strongest legs were 34% less likely to struggle with memory or focus.

Researchers saw a similar pattern in twins. Over 10 years, the twin with greater leg power had a "younger" brain, despite identical DNA.

The kicker: physical activity, like walking, gardening, and pilates, didn’t produce the same effect. All exercise is good, but strength output was the secret sauce for brain health.

Why it matters

Your brain requires a constant supply of energy, and your legs do the heavy lifting.

Every time your leg muscles contract from walking, climbing stairs, or squatting, they push blood toward your brain. Strong legs help make the process more efficient.

Why it matters

• Start where you are. You don’t need to find your one-rep max on day one. Bodyweight squats, resistance bands, and light dumbbells all count. The goal is simply to progress over time.

• Master the “Big Four.” Focus on squats, lunges, hip thrusts, and deadlifts. These foundational moves challenge your largest muscle groups to generate real force.

• Play the long game. Challenge yourself over time. More reps, better form, or shorter rest periods. This will give your muscles a reason to stay strong.

The takeaway

Leg strength isn't a "magic pill" for your mind, but it is a powerful metric you can actually influence.  You can’t change your age or your genetics, but you can definitely choose to keep your foundation strong for the long haul. 

The 2025 Wellworthy Awards 🏆

2025 was a massive year for wellness.

We spent the last 12 months tracking every major launch across fitness tech, recovery, and culture. Now, we’re narrowing it down to our favorites.

Introducing the first-ever Wellworthy Awards. Brands did not apply, and they were not allowed to pay for entry. This is a 100% internal selection based on what we actually used and loved.

Check it out and let us know if your favorite launch made the list 💪

Just Dropped

New products and drops spotted → 

Supplements & nutrition

Myoform launched personalized supplements built from whole-genome sequencing. Translation? They look at your entire DNA to understand how your body processes nutrients and recovers, then create a custom powder blend. One scoop replaces your entire supplement stack, which beats downing seven pills every morning. Get personalized health.

Arnold Schwarzenegger teamed up with Momentous to launch The Arnold Stack: protein, creatine, and vitamin D3. Besides being the three foundational supplements he swears by, they’re built on the belief that trends don't build greatness, basics done consistently do. Get the stack.

NOBULL launched its first nutrition line, including three electrolyte flavors and, obviously, protein (4 of them!). The brand merged with Tom Brady's TB12 in 2024, which explains the minimal-ingredient philosophy baked into every product. Shop now.

Promix launched Beef Protein Isolate made from grass-fed beef bones. If you've been avoiding dairy but still want the benefits of a complete protein, this delivers 30g of protein plus collagen without the whey or lactose. Join the waitlist.

Beyond Meat launched Beyond Immerse, its first venture into protein drinks. Each bottle packs 10g or 20g of pea protein with 7g of fiber (pretty high for a protein drink), plus vitamin C and electrolytes. Try it. 

Fitness & wellness tech

Life Time teamed up with women's fashion retailer EVEREVE on a 15-piece collection for women who need to go straight from the gym to errands. Think versatile tees, hats, and sweatshirts with country club-inspired motifs, plus a standout wide-leg pant in a soft cotton known as French terry. Shop now.

Outdoor Voices dropped its OV Pilates Collection, bringing the same stylish energy the brand's known for through its hiking gear. The line uses TechSweat lightweight material and cozy Strobe Fleece in girly colors like Baby (an ultra-light blue) and Juicy Fruit (a hot pink). Add to cart.

Flipping the script, Set Active, a Pilates fan-favorite, teamed up with outdoor brand Salomon to launch No Service, a hiking capsule. The collection brings Set Active's unique aesthetic to the trails with colors like Himalaya and Nocturnal. Hit the trails.

Preventative care & recovery

Eleve Health launched the E-Salt Cabin, a $75,000 black pod it's calling the world's first "longevity capsule." The glossy capsule combines salt therapy, red light therapy, oxygen therapy, and aromatherapy into one sci-fi-looking pod. Learn more.

Bandit opened its Chicago flagship as a third space for runners, complete with a café by Soloway Coffee, and it's as dreamy as it sounds. A few highlights: painted cement stadium seating, an eight-piece surround sound system, and a frosted glass fridge stocked with hydration beverages. Visit the flagship.

On Our Radar 

What's moving in wellness this week → 

A win for wearables. The FDA just cleared the way for non-invasive wearables to share physiologic insights (following a dispute with WHOOP) like blood pressure and heart rate variability as wellness data, not medical advice. Expect wearable companies to start rolling out more features, maybe some they've had in development for years.

Nike signs first pickleball athlete. Nike signed 18-year-old Anna Leigh Waters, ranked No. 1 in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, in its first-ever pickleball deal. Major sportswear brands spent years watching pickleball boom from the sidelines—now they’re betting on it.

Bandit Grand Prix is back. Registration for the F1-inspired running event opens today. Round 2, Brooklyn, May 30th. Competitive runners tired of another neighborhood 5K, this is your race: multiple heats throughout the day, with top finishers competing in a 3K final at night. Get early bird tickets here.

WHOOP goes racing. WHOOP became the official wearable partner of Scuderia Ferrari. Formula 1 drivers now track recovery and strain with the same intensity they apply to lap times. When milliseconds matter, it makes sense that optimizing sleep shouldn’t be optional.

Soho House goes ranch. Soho House is opening Soho Ranch House in Sonoma wine country in 2027 with 50 cottages across vineyards, a health club, and two pools. Membership clubs are moving beyond rooftop bars. Now’s your chance to disconnect, but make it dreamy.