Wednesday Feb 4, 2026
- Jocelyn Rylee
- Feb 3
- 2 min read
Know
Via Dr. Rhonda Patrick at Found My Fitness
Exercise is a powerful antidepressant
Compared to no treatment or placebo, exercise was substantially more effective at improving depressive symptoms and it was as effective as standard treatments, such as psychotherapy (including CBT) and antidepressants, in alleviating depression.
This finding comes from a new meta-analysis, among the largest and most rigorous examinations yet of exercise as a clinical intervention for depression, underscoring its therapeutic potential as a frontline option, rather than just an adjunct therapy.
Depression affects ~332 million people worldwide (about 4% of the global population). One of the most evidence-based interventions for extending healthspan (exercise) now emerges as a clinically powerful tool for addressing a major mental health condition.
And exercise comes with benefits that therapy and medications don't deliver. In head-to-head comparisons, running has been found similarly effective for depression symptoms as antidepressants, while also improving body composition, blood pressure, and heart rate variability. Importantly, exercise achieves these outcomes without the negative side effects commonly associated with pharmacological treatments.
So yes, exercise can be "just as good" for depression symptoms as standard pharmacological and behavioral treatments. But when you zoom out to whole-body health, its is actually the MORE POWERFUL intervention.
Eat
Do
3 rounds
12 DB Power Clean (2x50/35)
12 Toes to Bar
rest 2 mins
3 rounds
18/15 Row/Bike/Ski Cals
18 Sit ups
rest 2 mins
3 rounds
12 DB Power Clean (2x50/35)
12 Toes to Bar
18/15 Row/Bike/Ski Cals
18 Sit ups
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9:30am Legends Class
AMRAP in 20 min:
12 Dumbbell Power Clean or Hang Power Clean
12 Hanging Knee Raises
18/15 Cal Row/bike/ski
18 Sit ups
Afterparty: plank on hands for max time (one shot)
Upcoming Dates:
The Push Up Challenge for The Canadian Mental Health Association starts tomorrow!
Family Day workout at the Field House - Mon Feb 16 at 9am
NextGen CrossFit Kids Winter Session II starts Tues Feb 24/Thurs Feb 26
26.1 Friday Night Lights - Feb 27
26.2 Friday Night Lights - Mar 6
26.3 Friday Night Lights - Mar 13
CrossFit Level 1 Course at BRIO - May 2-3
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