Training for a longer, healthier life: Eric Verdin takes on the Super Age Games

The Buck’s CEO will join participants in New York City for eight challenges that put physical, cognitive and social fitness to the test.

For Eric Verdin, MD, extending healthspan is both a scientific mission and a personal commitment. On November 7, the Buck Institute’s president and CEO will take that commitment onto the competition floor at the inaugural Super Age Games in New York City. Created by longevity media company Super Age in partnership with the Buck, the Games bring a different focus to fitness competition: the abilities that help people stay strong, sharp and independent as they age.

Participants will tackle eight trials spanning physical strength, cardiovascular fitness, balance, cognition and social skills. The goal is to give people a clearer picture of their capabilities, along with motivation to work on areas where they can improve. “The Super Age Games put all of the healthspan markers that matter in one place, on one day, so people can actually see where they stand,” says Verdin. “I think it is going to be a blast to participate, and I promise to share my results!"

Bringing healthspan into everyday life

At the Buck, researchers study the biology of aging to find ways to extend the healthy years of life. The Games offer a hands-on way to engage with that mission, translating an interest in longevity into challenges people can prepare for, experience and learn from. The emphasis is on abilities with meaning beyond the competition floor. Carrying groceries, navigating an uneven sidewalk, chasing around grandchildren, and staying engaged in the community all draw on a combination of physical and mental capacities.

The eight trials explore different aspects of those capabilities. The Over Under challenges agility and explosive movement, while The Inferno tests cardiovascular capacity. The Tightrope focuses on balance and stability, The Hang on grip strength and sustained effort, The Net on functional strength and coordination, and The Super Age 800on endurance while carrying a load. Two additional challenges broaden the picture. The Synapse, powered by NeuroTracker, tests cognitive performance under load. The Sync examines relational intelligence and social capacity, bringing the human connections that matter to healthy aging into the competition. Together, the trials encourage participants to think more broadly about what it means to be fit for the years ahead.

A starting point for improvement

Participants will receive results that highlight their performance across the challenges, along with a “Super Age” score incorporating performance and self-reported lifestyle information. That score is an estimate, rather than a precise measure of biological age or a prediction of how long someone will live. Its practical value lies in helping people identify strengths, recognize opportunities for improvement and set goals. Organizers also provide training resources ahead of the event, making preparation part of the experience. And the shared format brings another element: a community of people encouraging one another to stay active and engaged.

For the Buck, Verdin’s participation puts a familiar mission into motion. Healthspan is about preserving the ability to do the things that make life meaningful. The Games offer an opportunity to test those abilities, challenge ourselves, and have some fun along the way.

The Super Age Games take place November 7, 2026, in New York City. Learn more about the event and how to participate.