Workshop 1: Training for the Final Decades: Rethinking Strength, Purpose, and Longevity
How do we prepare now for the life we want to live in our 80s, 90s, and beyond?
Drawing on Peter Attia’s longevity framework, particularly his focus on healthspan vs. lifespan and the "Centenarian Decathlon," this interactive workshop invites educators, coaches, and practitioners to rethink the long game of health and performance.
Part one explores the science and philosophy behind training for longevity, with an emphasis on strength as a cornerstone of healthy ageing.
Part two invites attendees to engage in hands-on programming activities, small-group discussions, and reflection tasks designed to bridge theory with practical application. Together, we’ll explore how to design for strength with the later decades in mind: how goals and methods shift as we age, what principles remain, how to measure progress across the lifespan, and how to support others in finding purpose in training beyond aesthetics or performance.
Blending evidence, lived experience, and coaching insight, this session offers practical tools and key takeaways.
Attendees will leave with:
- A working knowledge of Attia’s Centenarian Decathlon and its application
- Strategies for programming strength training for ageing populations
- Methods for cultivating long-term motivation and meaning in training
Presenter: Allister Field
Allister is a passionate educator with extensive experience in teaching and curriculum development. As a Senior Academic Staff Member at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, he currently serves as the Programme Coordinator for the L5 Diploma in Sport, Exercise, and Recreation, and supports the delivery of the University of Waikato Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance.
Allister’s research pursuits, strength and conditioning experience, and teaching have shaped his particular interest in exercise physiology and prescription. His master's thesis focused on the acute metabolic demands of sub-maximal running with lower body load, providing valuable insights into endurance training methods. With a commitment to ongoing professional development, Allister holds an Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) Level 1 Coach Accreditation and is the Head Trainer and Director of Programming at RAW Fitness in Mount Maunganui.
Allister has a wealth of diverse teaching experience, including two years as the Athletic Director of an international school in Vietnam. He is happily married with two young boys, and as a family, they enjoy being active, spending time at the beach, and appreciating the outdoors.
Presenter: Slade King
Slade King has operated as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach between here and Australia for the last 10 years. This has given him a vast range of practical skills and experience in the sports and fitness industry.
Alongside a lifetime of participation in both recreational and high-performance sports, Slade has been highly involved as a lead strength and conditioning coach for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.
He is well-versed in both old and current best practices used to enhance physical performance and reduce the likelihood of injuries.
Teaching in the sport and recreation courses is satisfying as it enables him to give back by sharing his knowledge and passion with others, in the field he loves.