You were set on getting to the gym after work. Your bag is even in the front seat of the car to keep you focused the minute you leave the office. But a friend just stopped by and invited you to join her and a few others for happy hour instead. Which one are you more likely to choose?

If you’re hoping to grow old gracefully, beautifully, with good physical strength and still have your wits about you — science is once again urging you to do what you know you should do!

A new study from the United Kingdom’s University of Manchester of nearly a half million people reveals that muscular strength, measured by handgrip, is an indication of the health of our brains. Researchers even found that among the 475,397 participants from all around the U.K. — stronger people on average performed better across every test of brain functioning used.

Tests included reaction speed, logical problem-solving, and multiple examinations of memory.

“This study is not at all surprising,” Larry Pfaff, a certified health coach and professional counselor from Portage, Michigan, told LifeZette. “It is just one of many, many studies over the past 20 years or so that show the connection between physical activity and brain function. And exercise doesn’t just have an impact on cognitive function — it has just as large an impact on mood and emotions.”

Some now say that exercise is the best antidepressant, he added. He’s seen so much proof of this over the past 35 years of working with clients as a mental health counselor that, at 67 years old, he himself decided to improve his own physical health.

“As I began to study this area, I found so much data to support exercise that I went on to become certified as a health coach, so that I could help clients better their lives,” he explained. “Exercise and movement –– it helps them all. I see the difference, and my clients do also.”

Think you don’t have time to squeeze in weight-bearing exercise? Even small amounts of exercise or movement can make a big difference, he said. Ten minutes a day can move mental mountains.

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“The key is setting achievable goals that can allow success, and that will keep [people] going,” Pfaff advised.

Related: Exercise’s Most Useful Benefits

Researchers say more studies are needed to test if we can actually make our brains healthier by doing things that make our muscles stronger — such as weight training. Previous research by the group has already found that aerobic exercise can improve brain health.

Of particular interest to researcher Dr. Joseph Firth, an honorary research fellow at the University of Manchester and the fellow at NICM Health Research Institute who conducted the U.K. study, is whether interventions such as weight training could be beneficial for people with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder.

Carly Wilson is a freelance reporter and photographer from South Dakota.