Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Dead Hang Challenge Highlights The Importance Of Grip Strength
Samantha Ruth Prabhu shared a video on her Instagram where she demonstrated her grip strength by performing a 90-second dead hang challenge alongside her trainers.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu has always been admired for her disciplined approach to fitness and wellness. The actor regularly shares snippets from her workouts and wellness routines, encouraging her followers to invest in their physical and mental health. In a recent Instagram post, Samantha took on the 90-second dead hang challenge alongside her trainers, Pavneet Chhabra and Paridhi Joshi. More than just a test of endurance, the challenge spotlighted a key component of fitness that often goes unnoticed – grip strength.
In her caption, Samantha Ruth Prabhu wrote, 'It's not about how you look. Not about genetics. Not about muscle mass or flexed selfies. It's about how strong you are when no one's watching." The message served as a reminder that strength and resilience go far beyond aesthetics.
What Is A Dead Hang?
A dead hang is a deceptively simple exercise where you hang from a horizontal bar with your feet off the ground, using only your hands and upper body to hold on. While it may look easy, maintaining this position requires strong forearms, shoulders, core stability, and most importantly, grip strength. It's often used as a benchmark in fitness routines to assess upper-body endurance and joint stability.
Why Does Grip Strength Matter?
According to health experts like Canadian-American physician Dr. Peter Attia, grip strength is one of the strongest predictors of longevity and quality of life. In the same video Samantha posted, Dr. Attia explains that for individuals aged 40–50, the ability to hang for a specific duration correlates with overall muscular and neurological health. He suggests that women in this age range should aim for a 90-second dead hang, while men should target two minutes.
He also mentions another important metric: the ability to carry a significant percentage of one's body weight in each hand for at least a minute, which reflects full-body strength and endurance.
Functional movements like the dead hang are gaining popularity in the fitness world, not just for performance, but for the role they play in maintaining independence as we age. Samantha's challenge was not just a personal milestone, but a timely reminder to shift focus from how our bodies look to what they can actually do.
view comments
First Published:
July 29, 2025, 12:31 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
26 minutes ago
- News18
That Morning Cough You Keep Ignoring Could Be Lung Cancer: Here's When To See A Doctor
Last Updated: If your morning cough has lasted more than 2–3 weeks, it could be an early warning sign of lung cancer, not just pollution or age. A persistent morning cough is often brushed off as something harmless, pollution, smoking, a dusty bedroom fan, or simply a part of getting older. However, ignoring this symptom could mean overlooking the early signs of a serious underlying condition, including lung cancer. Every year, 1st August is observed as World Lung Cancer Day, a reminder to prioritize lung health and the early detection of warning signs. Among these, the chronic morning cough stands out as one of the most overlooked symptoms. Many people tolerate it for weeks even months attributing it to environmental irritants or seasonal changes. But a cough that lasts more than 2–3 weeks, especially when accompanied by phlegm, hoarseness, chest discomfort, fatigue, or weight loss, should never be taken lightly. Dr. Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Director, Yashoda Institute of Respiratory Medicine & Interventional Pulmonology, says, 'We often see patients who delay seeking help until their condition has significantly progressed. This delay can be tragic when it comes to lung cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In India, the burden is growing due to rising pollution levels, smoking, and indoor exposure to biomass fuels used in cooking. What makes lung cancer particularly dangerous is that most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when treatment becomes more complex and outcomes less favourable." Cough lasting more than 3 weeks Coughing up blood Chest pain or breathlessness Persistent fatigue or voice changes Sudden, unexplained weight loss Importantly, non-smokers are not immune. Urban residents constantly exposed to high levels of air pollution and indoor pollutants are also at risk. Take your morning cough seriously. If it's lingering or worsening, consult a pulmonologist. A simple chest X-ray or CT scan could provide critical insight into your lung health. view comments First Published: August 03, 2025, 10:01 IST News lifestyle » health-and-fitness That Morning Cough You Keep Ignoring Could Be Lung Cancer: Here's When To See A Doctor Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Health coach shares 5 things you must know 'before blindly loading on protein': ‘You don't need 100g of protein'
Among the many weight loss trends circulating online, one of the most popular is increasing protein intake in meals. Protein is known to keep you fuller for longer, reduce cravings, and support muscle building while burning fat. But does that mean we should load up on protein without caution? Also read | 10 high-protein foods that make weight loss easy, according to nutritionist Things to know before blinding loading on protein.(Shutterstock) Health and nutrition coach Nikita Bardia warned against it. On May 15, Nikita shared an Instagram post explaining the downsides of having too much protein. 'When I started consuming protein, I also started gaining weight. Things you must know before blindly loading on protein,' she wrote. 1. Protein can still make you gain weight, if you're in a surplus If your maintenance is 1800 kcal and you're eating 2100 kcal (even from clean, high-protein foods), you will gain fat. Calories still matter. Indian example: 150g paneer = 270 kcal 1 scoop plant protein = 120 kcal 2 tbsp peanut butter = 200 kcal It adds up fast if you're not tracking your intake! 2. Not all protein is lean protein Many Indian sources are protein-fat combos (paneer, peanuts, cheese, dals). You may think you're eating high protein, but you're also consuming a lot of hidden fat. Also read | Are you vegan? Nutritionist shares 11 high-protein foods to boost daily protein intake naturally Better vegetarian swaps? Swap paneer for tofu Swap peanuts for roasted chana Use Greek yogurt (unsweetened, low-fat) 3. Too much protein without strength training = stored energy. Protein supports muscle repair, but if you're not lifting or training, that extra protein becomes extra calories, often stored as fat, not muscle. Twist: Protein doesn't go to muscle by default. You must give your body the signal (resistance training). 4. Your digestion and kidney function matter. If you're bloated, gassy, or feel heavy after high protein meals, your gut might not be ready for that jump. Fix digestion before you double your protein. Add jeera and ajwain water, fermented foods, and chew mindfully. 5. You don't need 100g of protein overnight. Start small: 0.8g per kg of your ideal body weight. Then build it up with training and biofeedback. Also read | Too tired to cook? Dietician shares 5 high-protein but easy meals to prepare Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Canada is choking as wildfire smoke smothers cities and spreads into US Midwest; Health warnings issued
AP Canada is choking as wildfire smoke from the Prairies triggers extreme air-quality warnings, painting skies orange and pushing pollution to dangerous highs across the country and into the US Thick wildfire smoke drifting east from Canada's Prairie provinces has blanketed large parts of the country, triggering special air-quality warnings and health advisories from British Columbia to Quebec. Environment Canada issued alerts Saturday(August 2) citing 'extremely high' levels of pollution in regions of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and the Northwest Territories, with the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) hitting level 10 or above, considered 'very high risk' for public health. The smoke, coming from hundreds of wildfires burning in Canada's western interior, has reduced visibility, tainted skies with an orange hue, and raised alarms for vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and people with asthma or heart hardest-hit areas include La Ronge, Sask., Flin Flon, Man., and Fort Simpson in the Northwest Territories, where the AQHI remained in the 'extremely high' range for several hours Saturday. Winnipeg was the only major Prairie city under a special air-quality statement, while northern Alberta, including Fort McMurray, is expected to see similar conditions by Sunday, according to Alberta's wildfire smoke forecast model. Environment Canada issues air-quality warnings when AQHI levels exceed 10 for at least six consecutive hours. A special air-quality statement, meanwhile, is triggered when index levels reach between 7 and from Canadian wildfires has also affected US cities. Over the past week, Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, and other Midwestern hubs registered dangerous AQI levels, prompting health alerts. In Minnesota, it marked the longest consecutive air-quality advisory in state agency warns of mild symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, while more serious cases could involve chest pain and severe coughing. Pregnant individuals, infants, seniors, and people with respiratory illness are most at advise people to stay indoors, use HEPA filters or N95 masks, and avoid strenuous outdoor Edmonton, where a separate heat warning remains in effect, officials have activated emergency cooling stations and are distributing water through fire hydrants and peace officers.
