Keep in mind that a lifetime of manual labor often leads to chronic injuries and pain. How many of those old timers had back problems? I grew up working on fish

Keep in mind that a lifetime of manual labor often leads to chronic injuries and pain. How many of those old timers had back problems? I grew up working on fishing boats in Alaska, I know the drill pretty well. I don't have a vise-like grip anymore, but I also don't have tendonitis. Not to say that manual labor won't get you fit, just that if you have the opportunity to sit at a desk and go to the gym and eat a proper diet, it's not really comparable to that kind of fitness (and it's generally far healthier for you).