Regularly exercising with weights is linked to a lower risk of premature death, according to the largest study of its kind.

While aerobic exercise is consistently associated with a lower risk of premature death, until now it was not clear if working out with weights might have similar effects.

In an attempt to plug this knowledge gap, the researchers set out to evaluate the potential impact of exercising with weights and aerobic activities on the risk of premature death among older adults.

Those who met the aerobic activity levels had a 32% lower risk of premature death.

Adults who reported meeting the aerobic activity guidelines and weightlifting at least one or two times every week were found to have a 41% to 47% lower risk of premature death.